Federal Updates
- NACC provided feedback on the Better Results through In-community Delivery, Greater Enforcement, and Stronger Services (BRIDGES) for Kids discussion draft.
- Resolution in support of Establishing a Binding Code of Ethics for the Supreme Court of the United States
NACC Joins Sign-On Letters
- Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act: If passed, this bill would provide an incentive for states that extend child welfare supports and services for foster youth through age 21.
- Letter opposing Rescission of Designated Placement Rule: The Designated Placement Rule ensures that LGBTQ+ children in foster care receive “safe and proper” care and are free from harassment, mistreatment, and abuse.
- Children’s Budget Coalition April Budget Resolution: This letter calls on Congress to reverse the concerning trend of decreasing federal spending on children and instead invest in programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.
- Child-Focused Comment on HUD’s Mixed-Status Proposed Rule: This letter opposed the proposed rule, which would terminate housing assistance for almost 80,000 low-income people, including 37,000 children and force the separation or displacement of 20,000 mixed-status families.
Amicus News
- In re K.B. – NACC and partners filed this amicus brief in the Supreme Court of Maryland opposing the exclusion of a young person from her own dependency hearing.
Counsel for Kids Update
Colorado defends youth rights. HB26-1227 would clarify that as parties to a dependency and neglect case youth have standing to protect all their interests through their GAL or children’s attorney. The proposal ensures that youth have due process and procedural rights that allow their full participation in their own proceeding, including the right to request a hearing when objecting to the dismissal of their dependency and neglect proceeding. This alleviates the agency’s unilateral authority to dismiss a case prior to adjudication over the objection of the child.
After public hearing, the House Health and Human Services Committee voted to pass the measure on March 3. NACC submitted written letters of support to committee members. The bill was referred to the committee of the Whole, engrossed on April 17 and re-engrossed on April 21. It awaits further consideration.
Illinois’ DCFS Secure Act is still alive. HB 4966 would guarantee the right to client-directed counsel for youth eight and older placed out-of-state. The bill underscores the state’s continuing responsibility to children in out-of-state placements to ensure they are not subjected to foreseeable harm, discrimination, or denial of care that would be lawful and medically appropriate under Illinois law. On March 24, the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee passed the bill after a short debate. After debate and amendment on the House floor, the bill arrived in the Senate on April 21 and awaits committee assignment. NACC joined a factsheet supporting this bill.