HB 256: Social services; foster parents bill of rights; revise provisions

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Discussed in meetings (12)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, January 28, 2026

   From 0:12:00 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute for HB 256 extending caregiver protections to relatives and close family connections, clarifying case-plan access, prohibiting retaliation, requiring an administrative complaint and appeal process, and allowing certified volunteer advocates. The sponsor said it would not change court authority or require new spending, and cited annual national foster-parent turnover of 30 to 50 percent. One member questioned protections against allegations from children or birth parents. The sponsor said fair-investigation requirements and volunteer advocates would help caregivers through those cases. Another member asked about independent complaint review; the sponsor believed the Office of the Child Advocate offered that option. A Department of Human Services witness warned that advocates might need an explicit exception to confidentiality rules. The witness also recommended using foster placement rather than expanding foster parent, citing possible effects on state liability law. The sponsor was open to that change. The committee adopted an amendment replacing licensing references with foster-home approval language, with no opposition recorded. No definition change or confidentiality amendment was adopted. Legislative counsel requested drafting time. A motion to table received a second, but no vote was recorded. The chair said the bill would return when ready; no vote to advance it occurred.

2. House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 9, 2026

   From 0:16:55 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the substitute would update Georgia’s Foster Parent Bill of Rights to cover private-agency foster parents, relatives and other caregivers consistently. The sponsor described clearer rights involving communication, training, case planning and children’s activities, protection against retaliation, and an administrative complaint process. The sponsor said caregivers could request trained, certified volunteer advocates during investigations or disputes, with access to confidential information needed to help. According to the sponsor, advocates would not act as attorneys, interfere with investigations or affect child-safety decisions. The sponsor said the bill would not change court authority, custody or spending requirements. The sponsor explained that the substitute incorporated DFCS suggestions, including a broader definition of foster placement and changes concerning confidential information. The Department of Human Services’ governmental affairs director said the department accepted the substitute language. One committee member expressed support for the changes. The committee approved the substitute unanimously by voice vote.

3. House Rules Committee, February 11, 2026

   From 0:28:37 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 256 would update Georgia's Foster Parent Bill of Rights to cover agency foster parents, relative caregivers and other caregivers consistently. The sponsor described clearer rights concerning communication, training, case planning, everyday parenting decisions, protection against retaliation and an administrative grievance process. The sponsor said the bill would not change court authority or custody, create new juvenile-court rights, or require new services or spending. It would also establish volunteer advocates overseen by the Office of Child Advocate to support foster parents during administrative investigations and disputes, without serving as lawyers or interfering with child-safety decisions. The sponsor said 30 to 50 percent of foster parents leave annually, often citing inadequate support or fairness. Asked whether the advocates would parallel CASA advocates for children, the sponsor said they would serve a similar role for foster parents. Another member commended the sponsor's experience as a foster and adoptive parent. Asked about department support, the sponsor said the department helped develop the language and had not opposed it. No action was recorded.

4. House Rules Committee, February 17, 2026

   From 1:00:43 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed the bill on the day's calendar after a motion and second, with no stated opposition. The bill's substance was not discussed.

5. House floor session, February 17, 2026 (legislative day 19)

   From 1:52:37 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 630

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenter said HB 256 would update foster caregiver rights to cover state and private-agency foster parents, relatives and other close caregivers consistently. The presenter described clearer rights concerning communication, training, case planning, everyday parenting decisions and administrative fairness, including protection against retaliation and a grievance process. The presenter said the bill would not change court authority, create new juvenile court rights or require new services or spending. It would establish a volunteer advocate program under the Office of Child Advocate to assist caregivers in administrative investigations and disputes, without providing legal counsel or affecting custody decisions. The presenter said 30% to 50% of foster parents leave each year, often because of inadequate support or unclear procedures. One member asked whether timely information would help caregivers keep children safe. The presenter agreed and drew on personal foster-parent experience. Other members expressed support and appreciation. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill, 164 to 0.

6. Senate Children and Families Committee, March 24, 2026

   From 0:14:32 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill updates foster caregiver rights to cover foster parents, relative caregivers and other close caregivers. The sponsor described protections involving communication, training, case planning, retaliation and administrative grievances, plus a certified volunteer advocate program overseen by the Office of the Child Advocate. The sponsor said advocates would not serve as lawyers or interfere with child safety decisions. A committee member asked whether replacing “parents” with “placements” removed foster parents’ rights. The sponsor explained that the broader definition retained foster parents. Another member raised concerns that access to children’s records could introduce bias. The sponsor said foster parents already receive those records and advocates need access to help resolve disputes, with confidentiality penalties applying. The substitute also incorporated SB 525 provisions requiring juvenile court recordings and access to them. After a Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council witness questioned whether “individual” included the state, the committee adopted an amendment replacing that term with “party” and removing a related phrase. The committee approved the substitute as amended by a show of hands. No vote counts were announced.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 30, 2026

   From 0:45:55 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 256 revised foster parents' rights and also carried language granting access to court proceedings. No substantive questions followed. The chair added it to the selections, and the committee unanimously approved the calendar containing it.

8. Senate floor session, March 31, 2026 (legislative day 39, part 1)

   From 7:48:20 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Third Read)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 256 would allow parties in juvenile court proceedings, and the Department of Human Services when permitted to participate, to obtain complete records without a court order. The clerk described a substitute requiring proceedings under the Juvenile Code to be recorded. The sponsor also said the bill would rename the Foster Parents' Bill of Rights as the Foster Placements Bill of Rights and give all foster placements access to non-identifying placement or child protective service information. No questions or opposing speeches followed. The Senate adopted the substitute and passed the bill 47-0.

9. House floor session, April 2, 2026 (legislative day 40, AM)

   From 1:41:58 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described HB 256 as a revision to the Foster Parents' Bill of Rights intended to help retain foster parents and protect children. The sponsor said the Senate added a requirement that juvenile court proceedings be fully recorded and that parties be able to access the recordings. There were no questions. The House agreed to the Senate substitute, 171 to 0.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 10, 2026 (legislative day 16), 0:48:56
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, February 18, 2026 (legislative day 20), 0:27:48
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37), 0:32:20

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