The Foster Children Bill of Rights and the Foster Parent Bill of Rights was structured within the child protection scheme to remind foster children and foster parents of their rights. Many children's rights bills include that they must be displayed in a position where they can be viewed by children and provide clauses requiring foster children to be aware of why they are in foster care and how the process will continue. In addition, the foster children's bill of rights requires involvement in extracurricular or community events, attempts to preserve educational stability, access to guardians ad litem, access to emotional, behavioral, and physical health services, access to or contact with siblings and family members. The requirement that foster parents use a fair and prudent parenting norm is included in the law in 14 states, particularly when making decisions about fostering the involvement of children in extracurricular or other activities.
In 15 states, the Foster Children's Bill of Rights was enacted, and in 17 states, Puerto Rico and Foster Parent Bill of Rights were enacted. In addition, ten states introduced fifteen bills (six enacted) during the 2014 legislative session, either seeking to enact a bill of rights or otherwise extending or defining the rights of foster children and parents, including independent older youth living services, educational consistency, and enrollment, foster child input into out-of-home care placement assessments, and extracurricular activity.
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