2007 House Bill 4735

Give preference to relatives over foster care

Introduced in the House

May 9, 2007

Introduced by Rep. Gino Polidori (D-15)

To require government authorities determining whether to remove a child from his or her parents and place the child in foster care to give special consideration and preference to placing the child with relatives instead, unless doing so is clearly not in the child’s best interests.

Referred to the Committee on Families and Childrens Services

May 30, 2007

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 13, 2007

Amendment offered by Rep. Frank Accavitti (D-42)

To require that exceptions to the preferred placement specified by the be because it is determined to not be in the child's best interest, rather than "clearly" not in the child's best interest; (strike the word "clearly," in other words).

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Frank Accavitti (D-42)

To also specify that the placement with a realitive should meet the child's "developmental, emotional and physical needs".

The amendment passed by voice vote

June 14, 2007

Passed in the House 106 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

June 19, 2007

Referred to the Committee on Families and Human Services