|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus |
|
House passes Shimkus bill to give foster parents stronger say in future of children in their care
HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed legislation crafted by state Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, that would give foster parents a voice in court decisions about the children in their care. The bill (H.B. 1511) now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
The bill would allow foster parents to submit a report, either written or verbally, to a judge about a child in their care before the child’s permanency hearings. Permanency hearings are held every six months to determine whether a child should return to his or her natural parents, remain in foster care or be put up for adoption.
Shimkus wrote the legislation after meeting with Carol and Tom Oleski, who have been foster parents in Lackawanna County for more than 20 years, caring for more than 100 children during that time. They told him how frustrating it is that foster parents are not able to give confidential, written reports regarding the development, and physical and emotional condition of the children in their care.
“Foster parents are with these children day in and day out. They see how they interact with others, they are able to talk with them about their feelings and they probably understand the needs of these children better than anyone else,” Shimkus said. “Their observations are key to choosing the best placement for children.”
The bill would require county children and youth agencies to notify foster parents of their right to submit a report to the court, and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare would create a form for them to do so. The form would include descriptions of the child’s adjustment, interaction with others, physical and emotional condition, educational status, behavior and relationship with his or her birth parents, among other factors. The reports would be submitted confidentially, but judges could use their discretion to decide whether the reports remained confidential.
Attention Radio News Directors: an actuality from Rep. Shimkus is available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA113 (7-2-1-1-3) and the pound sign (#) at the menu prompt to get today’s sound. You can also download the sound in .mp3 format by visiting www.pahouse.com/mediacenter
###lr/2007/bt
l:\print\releases\FosterParentPass.113
|
CONTACT: Lauren Rooney |