The Family and Veteran Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Katrina Shealy, met on February 2 and adopted S.380, Kinship Guardianship. It allows family members or fictive kin to have increased legal backing and to receive financial support and other benefits. Not only does the legislation give family members equal benefits as foster care families, but also according to the National Governor’s Association, it is more cost-effective than foster care by four times.
The committee also gave a favorable report for S.342, which provides additional definitions for homeless youth. Three definitions include: 1.) unaccompanied homeless youth younger than 25 years old who do not have a regular, adequate residence; 2.) any child or youth that lacks a fixed regular night residence; and 3,) youth under 25 years of age whose status is close to homelessness in the near future.
