H.P. 67 - L.D. 80
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4005-C, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 715, Pt. B, §5, is amended by adding at the end a new paragraph to read:
The foster parent of a child, if any, and any preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child may attend a review or hearing in its entirety under this section unless specifically excluded by decision of the presiding judge. This paragraph is repealed July 1, 2000.
Sec. 2. Report. By December 31, 1999, the Department of Human Services shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on its experience with foster parents, preadoptive parents and relatives providing care for foster children, attending the entire proceedings of reviews and hearings under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 4005-C.
Sec. 3. Departmental discretion. After consideration of the best interests of the child and any other factors, the Department of Human Services may decide to include the foster parent of a child when a representative of the department meets with the child. By December 31, 2000, the department shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters on its experience in including and excluding foster
parents from meetings between representatives of the department and foster children.
Effective September 18, 1999, unless otherwise indicated.
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