Regarding the Law, Gary M said:
"Patricia loved her daugher. Sirita loved her mother. I know this, I saw that. It would have been wonderful if she could have provided the stability Sirita needed. But there must be a cut off where we say enough is enough. If they can't straighten out their lives, I still care about them, I still want them to get the help they need, but they don't have the right to screw up a child's life."
SIRITA'S LAW: House Bill 1333
· If a child is removed a second time for abuse or neglect, a hearing must be held in 30 days to determine if there should be a change in permanency plan or termination of parental rights
· For every child in foster care more than 15 months, a report must be made to the legislature explaining why
· Foster parents involved in transitional visitation services with the child post placement
· All adults in the home are subject to a background check
· All caregivers in the home must be evaluated for needed services, whether a party to the dependency or not
· Bio parents with children in dependency are priority for services
· Substance abuse is included in list of court-ordered services.
· Police academies to add child abuse/neglect to their curriculum
· Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to study of gaps in availability and accessibility of services to families.
