Louisiana Has Faith in Families Act Signed into Law

See the text of the law at this link. This was signed into law on May 31, 2013.

This law gives postplacement support to adoptive families; allows expanded educational options and reimburses for certain court costs. The law states, “Payments in subsidy of an adoption may include but are not limited to the maintenance costs, medical and surgical expenses, and other costs that are incidental to the care, training, and education of the child, including special medical costs for any child in connection with any physical or mental condition that existed prior to the date of the initial judgment of adoption.”

“Under the bill, kids will be allowed to stay in the school they are currently attending when adopted for the duration of the school year, and they will be granted the opportunity to enroll in a new school in their new home district the following year.

In addition, the state will subsidize the adoption of children with special needs—including maintenance costs, medical and surgical costs and other costs associated with the care, training or educational needs of that child. And, wait times for finalizing adoptions will be shortened by applying waiting periods retroactively, waiving home study periods in certain instances and expediting the judicial process for prospective parents who have been previously approved for foster care.

Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills said, “Louisiana Family Forum places a premium on family. Today, 487 adoption-ready children in the Louisiana Foster Care system have reason to believe in a brighter tomorrow. Governor Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature have just brought us, in the Louisiana Has Faith in Families Act, one step closer to uniting these children to a forever family. As the faith community of this state learns of these little ones, ordinary moms and dads will step forward, embrace a child, give them a new name, provide a brighter future and finally bring them home.”

Senator Walsworth said, “We’ve streamlined the adoption process and offered sensible new incentives which will make it easier to place children in permanent homes.  This legislation may not receive the publicity that some of the other issues before the Legislature do, but I guarantee it will be the most important bill for many families in Louisiana for many years to come.”

Senator Ward said, “This legislation makes the adoption process even more attractive to those families who have a heart for building permanent homes for adopted children. My hope is that someday Louisiana has a waiting list for parents seeking adoption from the state and that every child who wants a home will find the security of a permanent, loving family.””

New law encourages adoption of foster kids

[KNOE 5/31/13]

The law also has provisions for the adoptee to attend private schools or to be homeschooled. Private school would not be paid for by the taxpayers.  Adoptive parents of homeschooled children would need to demonstrate to the DCFS with documentation that the child is progressing one grade level per year.

 

REFORM Puzzle Piece