LB 971 is a follow-up to interim study LR 164 (2009) on the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 and its application in Nebraska. LB 971 is intended to assist the Department of Health and Human Services implement three specific requirements of the federal act: using due diligence to notify adult relatives when a child is removed from parental custody; making efforts to place siblings together or provide for sibling time if placement together is not possible, and creating transition plans for children aging out of foster care.
The bill
· Provides requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services to notify adult relatives within 15 days of a child’s being removed from his or her home. Provides exception to notification if an adult relative’s history of family or domestic violence makes notification inappropriate.
· Provides requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services and the court with regard to reasonable efforts to place siblings together and provide for frequent sibling time when siblings are not placed together. Provides exceptions if placement together or sibling time is contrary to the safety and well-being of any sibling.
· Provides requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services with regard to plans for transitioning out of foster care.

Indefinitely postponed April 14, 2010.

• Judiciary

• No amendments of concern

• No additional documents

• No action alerts are associated with this legislation.