Bills
SJ241: Study; Office of the Children’s Ombudsman to continue study of legal representation in child dependency cases; report (Sen. Edwards)
Our Position: Support
Status: Passed the House and Senate.
Summary: Directs the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman to continue its work group to consider issues relating to the Commonwealth’s model of court-appointed legal counsel in child welfare cases.
HB1403: Certain public institutions of higher education; provision of university housing at no cost to certain students during scheduled intersessions. (Del. Tata)
Our Position: Support
Status: Passed and signed into law by the governor (effective 7/1/23).
Summary: Requires any public institution of higher education that maintains and operates university housing during scheduled intersessions to provide access to such housing at no cost to any student who is eligible for a certain tuition and fee grant based on his placement in foster care at age 18.
SB1443: Office of the Children’s Ombudsman; recommendations for establishment of Parents Advocacy Commission; report. (Sen. Deeds)
Our Position: Support
Status: Passed and signed into law by the governor (effective 7/1/23).
Summary: Directs the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman to convene a work group to study and make recommendations for the establishment of the Parents Advocacy Commission. This commission would provide legal representation to parents with for children in child dependency cases.
SB1214: Child abuse and neglect; custody and visitation; possession or use of marijuana (Sen. Lucas)
Our Position: Support
Status: Passed the Senate (31-9). Failed in the House.
Summary: Provides that a child will not be considered an abused or neglected child, and no person will be denied custody or visitation of a child, based solely on the fact that the child’s parent or other person responsible for his care, or the person petitioning for custody or visitation of the child, possessed or consumed marijuana in accordance with applicable law.
SB923: Kinship as Foster Care Prevention Program (Sen. Favola)
Position: Support
Status: Passed the Senate (40-0). Failed in the House.
Summary: Establishes the Kinship as Foster Care Prevention Program (the Program) to promote and support placements of children with relatives by local boards of social services (local boards) in order to avoid foster care.
HB1553: Tax credit; nonfamily adoptions (Del. Brewer)
Position: Support
Status: Failed in the House.
Summary: Creates a $4,000 nonrefundable tax credit for taxable years 2023 through 2027 for an individual or married persons who, during the taxable year, finalize a legal nonfamily adoption as defined in the bill.
HB1500: Adoption Tax Credit (Del. Runion)
Position: Support
Status: Failed in the House.
Summary: Establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for taxable years 2023 through 2027 for in the amount of qualified adoption expenses, as defined by the bill, paid or incurred by an individual or married couple who finalize a legal adoption.