The Representative Gail Finney Memorial Foster Care Bill of Rights
Have you heard about the Foster Care Bill of Rights that was written into Kansas law in 2023?
Are you a Youth in foster care, a Foster Parent or Kinship Caregiver for a child in foster care?
Do you know what your rights are, and have you been given a copy of the Bill of Rights?
Kansas Statute now specifies rights for you at
38-2201 (ksrevisor.org)
The Representative Gail Finney Memorial Foster Care Bill of Rights provides specific rights to both foster parents/kinship caregivers and children in foster care, as detailed in K.S.A. 38-2201 and amendments. The bill of rights is named in honor of Representative Finney, who passed away in 2022 after authoring the bill. Representative Finney had been a foster parent herself, therefore having personal experience of the needs of both caregivers and children.
Some of the rights of Foster Parents/Kinship Caregivers include:
- treatment as a professional member of the child’s team,
- freedom from discrimination;
- maintaining their own family values and beliefs;
- making some decisions for the child;
- receiving specific training;
- being notified of expense reimbursement options and receiving timely payment;
- submitting a report to the Court.
Children and youth have their own Bill of Rights which provides a list of 19 items. Some of the rights include:
- living in a safe, comfortable placement, where they are treated respectfully, with their siblings when possible,
- have as few placements as possible,
- have visits with family,
- have and maintain their own belongings,
- have access to extracurricular activities,
- be notified of and attend CINC hearings as developmentally appropriate.
- have regular access and right to communicate with case managers, attorneys, and advocates.