House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	January 23, 2013 10:23 AM
From:	Representative Tarah Toohil
To:	All House members
Subject:	FOSTER CARE EDUCATION

I am planning to re-introduce HB2503 2011/12 that will amend the Juvenile Act (Title 42, Chapter 63) in order to provide a more stable education for children who are removed from their homes. When a child is removed from his home, he is often in several different placements, often in separate school districts, before he is able to go home or find a stable situation. Being moved through several new schools can compound the effects that being put into out-of-home placement already have on a child. Whenever possible, it makes sense to allow the child to remain in his original school with his friends and teachers. Courts would be required to make best interest decisions for the educational stability of a child who has been removed from his HOME. The presumption would be in favor of the child remaining in the original school, but the court can consider a number of factors, including: proximity to the school, the child's relationships with students and faculty, the quality and appropriateness of education, whether the school is the least restrictive setting for the child, the child's safety, and the wishes of the parents (when appropriate). I hope you will join me by cosponsoring this legislation. NOTE: This legislation is identical to prior session 2011/12 HB2053 Previous co-sponsors: MOUL, GEIST, GOODMAN, GROVE, HESS, MANN, MILLER, MURT, PICKETT AND SAYLOR
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Introduced as HB569