Foster children would receive notice and explanations for legal hearings

A child’s guardian ad litem or lawyer would give the child timely notice of certain hearings and explain what the hearing is about. This applies to foster children and children in kinship placements who are at least 13 years old. The hearing must be held under the child welfare chapter and may have legal implications for the child. The guardian ad litem or lawyer must ask whether the child wants to attend. These rights would not create an independent lawsuit. The enrolled text states that the provision takes effect 90 days after passage, on June 3, 2026.

A child age 13 or older would be allowed to attend certain child welfare hearings. This applies to foster children and children in kinship placements who are at least 13 years old and whose hearings may have legal implications for them. A court may require virtual attendance if attending in person is impracticable or not in the child’s best interest. The court may make that decision itself or rely on a written report from the guardian ad litem. When practical and in the child’s best interest, the court should give weight to the child’s wish to attend in person. The guardian ad litem or lawyer must warn that the hearing may include distressing information but may not discourage attendance. The enrolled text states that this provision takes effect 90 days after passage, on June 3, 2026.

A child’s guardian ad litem or lawyer would explain the outcome of a qualifying hearing to the child. This applies to foster children and children in kinship placements when a child welfare hearing has legal implications for the child. The explanation would come from the child’s guardian ad litem or legal counsel. These rights would not create an independent lawsuit. The enrolled text states that the provision takes effect 90 days after passage, on June 3, 2026.