HB5097: HAIR CARE FOR YOUTH IN CARE

Legislative Summary

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every case plan shall include a Haircare Plan for each youth in care that is developed in consultation with the youth based upon the youth's developmental abilities, as well as with the youth's parents or caregivers or appropriate child care facility staff if not contrary to the youth's wishes, and that outlines any training or resources required by the caregiver or appropriate child care facility staff to meet the haircare needs of the youth. Requires a youth's Haircare Plan to at a minimum address (1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to the youth's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity; (2) necessary steps to be taken specific to the youth's haircare needs during emergency and health situations; and (3) the desires of the youth as they pertain to the youth's haircare. Provides that a youth's Haircare Plan must be reviewed at the same time as the case plan review required under the Act as well as during monthly visits to ensure compliance with the Haircare Plan and identify any needed changes. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop, by June 1, 2025, training and resources to make available for caregivers and appropriate child care facility staff to provide culturally competent haircare to youth in care. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act by June 1, 2025. Amends the Foster Parent Law. Expands the list of rights for foster parents to include the right to timely training necessary to meet the haircare needs of the children placed in their care. Expands the list of foster parent responsibilities to include the responsibility to provide haircare that preserves the child's desired connection to the child's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity. Amends the Foster Children's Bill of Rights Act. Expands the list of rights of every child placed in foster care to include haircare that preserves the child's desired connection to the child's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity and to have a corresponding haircare plan established in accordance with the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department to provide, in a timely and consistent manner, training for all caregivers and child welfare personnel on how to meet the haircare needs of children.