RS 2433 - Functions and duties of the task force
A. The functions of the task force shall include all of the following:
(1) Examination of means and best practices to ensure that foster children and adoptive children are placed in homes that can become permanent placements when reunification is not possible, thereby reducing the number of children who are moved repeatedly among different homes.
(2) Identification of means by which to assess persons applying to be foster parents, adoptive parents, and relative caretakers.
(3) Examination of means and best practices to encourage recruitment and retention of foster parents and relative caretakers.
(4) Examination of means to facilitate provision to foster parents and adoptive parents of all available information about a foster child's behavior before the child is placed with the foster or adoptive parents.
(5) Recommendation of means by which to ensure that adoption subsidies remain sufficient to meet the needs of an adoptive child and his adoptive parents as the child grows older.
(6) Recommendation of means by which to improve the rate of permanency among young people who are fourteen years of age or older and are in the state foster care system or in residential placement.
(7) Recommendations for a process to mediate conflicts between foster or adoptive parents and child placement agencies or biological parents.
(8) Identification of laws and agency policies that unduly serve as barriers to permanency.
(9) Identification of barriers with respect to recruitment of a competent workforce and substitute caretaker network.
(10) Examination of barriers with respect to placement resources.
B. On or before December 31, 2017, and semiannually thereafter, the task force shall prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a report on the status and well-being of children in foster care, with a particular focus on any policies and practices which are facilitating or could likely facilitate a greater degree of permanency for foster children. The report shall include any findings and recommendations derived from the functions specified in Subsection A of this Section.
Acts 2016, No. 117, §1.