(LANSING)---State Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) said today that children in foster care should move more quickly into permanent placements now that new laws have taken effect.

“My bill was part of a package of bills that gives the Michigan Department of Human Services and the courts new guidelines for terminating parental rights, granting parenting time, creating permanency plans, and appointing legal guardians,” said Jacobs. “These changes will help everyone do a better job of focusing on doing what is best for these children.”

Public Act 201 (SB 670) requires a child placing agency to notify the court and the guardian ad litem for a child before a change in the child’s placement is made. The agency would have to give a reason for the change, give the number of times the child’s placement has been changed, say if the change requires a change in school for the child, and say if the change would separate or reunite siblings or affect sibling visitation.

“Children do better when they know what to expect, and moving out of foster care and into a permanent home as quickly as possible is going to help them do better in school and in relationships in their new homes or with their families,” said Jacobs. “I am very happy that these laws are on the books and being used to make life better for some very vulnerable kids who needed our help.”

SB 670 was a companion bill to four other bills in the package. Senator Jacobs was the lead sponsor of SB 670 and a cosponsor of the other bills. The new laws are Public Acts 199-203 and took effect in July 2008. Governor Jennifer Granholm held a ceremonial bill signing for the package on Dec. 4, 2008.

Cut-line for attached photo: Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs and Governor Jennifer Granholm at the ceremonial bill signing on Dec. 4, 2008 for Senate Bill 670, now Public Act 201, to require proper notification of a change in a child’s foster care placement.

# # #