Supporting Kinship Caregivers

Nina Williams-Mbengue 3/26/2020

Overview

Nearly 3 million U.S. children are cared for by kin or relatives other than their parents. Child welfare agencies in many states rely on extended families, primarily grandparents, to provide homes for children who cannot safely remain with their parents. In fact, kin care for 32% of children in foster care — just over 139,000 — according to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System.

State lawmakers have enacted a variety of legislation to support kinship caregivers, including:

Requirements to identify and notify relatives and kin of a child’s removal from home, along with placement preference given to relatives.
Medical and educational consent.
Licensing waivers and variances.
Financial subsidies.
Other supports.

Dig deeper into each category below.

Kinship Notification/Placement

Federal law under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act requires that within 30 days after a child has been removed from parental custody, the state must exercise due diligence to identify and provide notice to all grandparents and other adult relatives of the child. The notice is to be sent to any other adult relatives suggested by the parents, subject to exceptions due to domestic violence. The act also requires that states “consider giving preference to an adult relative over a nonrelated caregiver when determining a placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant state child protection standards.”

Relative Notification

Kinship Care Placement Preference

Both

No Statute

U.S. states

Click a state to learn more about notification laws.

Alabama

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ala. Code § 38-12-2

Alaska

Relative Notification
Alaska Stat. § 47.10.088 (TPR)

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Alaska Stat. § 47.14.100

Arizona

Relative Notification
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-823

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-514

Arkansas

Relative Notification
Ark. Code § 9-28-107
Ark. Code § 9-27-355

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ark. Code § 9-28-105
Ark. Code § 9-28-108
Ark. Code § 9-9-102

California

Relative Notification
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 309(e)
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 628

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 361.3
Cal. Welf. & Inst. § 309

Colorado

Relative Notification
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-3-403

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-3-508(b)(I)
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-3-605
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-1-115

Connecticut

Relative Notification
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-101m

Delaware

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Del. Code tit. 31, § 356

District of Columbia

Kinship Care Placement Preference
D.C. Code of Mun. Regs. § 29-1642.1

Florida

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Fla. Stat. § 39.401
Fla. Stat. § 39.5085

Georgia

Relative Notification
Ga. Code § 15-11-211

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ga. Code § 15-11-212

Hawaii

Relative Notification
Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 587A-10
Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 587A-9

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Hawaii Stat. § 587A-9
Hawaii Stat. § 587A-11

Idaho

Relative Notification
Idaho Admin. Code § 16.06.01.401

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Idaho Code § 16-1629
Idaho Admin. Code § 16.06.01.401

Illinois

Relative Notification
Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 20, § 505-7

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 20, § 505-7

Indiana

Relative Notification
Ind. Code § 31-34-3-4.5

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ind. Code § 31-34-4-2
Ind. Code § 31-34-19-7

Iowa

Relative Notification
Iowa Ann. Code § 232.84

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Iowa Ann. Code § 232.102

Kansas

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Kan. Stat. § 38-2286

Kentucky

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 620.090

Louisiana

Kinship Care Placement Preference
La. Ch. C. Art. 622

Maine

Relative Notification
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, § 4036-B

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, § 4003

Maryland

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Md. Fam. Law § 5-534

Massachusetts

Relative Notification
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, § 23
Mass. Code of Rules tit. 110, § 7.101

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, § 23
Mass. Code of Rules tit. 110, § 7.101

Michigan

Relative Notification
Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.954a

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.954a

Minnesota

Relative Notification
Minn. Ann. Stat. § 260C.212
Minn. Ann. Stat. § 260C.221

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Minn. Ann. Stat. § 260C.212
Minn. Ann. Stat. § 260C.221

Mississippi

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Miss. Code § 43-15-13

Missouri

Relative Notification
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.565
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.305

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.565

Montana

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Mont. Code § 52-2-102

Nebraska

Relative Notification
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-1311.01

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-533
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-1508

Nevada

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 128.110
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 432B.550

New Jersey

Relative Notification
N.J. Stat. § 30:4C-12.1

Kinship Care Placement Preference
N.J. Stat. § 30:4C-15.8

New Mexico

Relative Notification
N.M. Stat. § 32A-4-17.1

Kinship Care Placement Preference
N.M. Ann. Stat. § 32A-4-9
N.M. Ann. Stat. § 40-10B-2

New York

Relative Notification
N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 1017

Kinship Care Placement Preference
N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 1055-b

North Carolina

Relative Notification
N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 7B-505

Kinship Care Placement Preference
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-505
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-903

North Dakota

Relative Notification
N.D. Cent. Code § 27-20-38

Ohio

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.415
Ohio Admin. Code § 5101:2-42-05

Oklahoma

Relative Notification
Okla. Stat. tit. 10a, § 1-4-203

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Okla. Stat. tit. 10, § 22.1
Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 1-4-204
Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 1-7-106

Oregon

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Or. Rev. Stat. § 419B.192

Pennsylvania

Relative Notification
67 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101
67 Pa.C.S.A. § 3103
67 Pa.C.S.A. § 3104

Kinship Care Placement Preference
67 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101

Rhode Island

Relative Notification
Rhode Island Code of Rules § 03-009-001

Kinship Care Placement Preference
R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-12.2
R.I. Gen. Laws § 14-1-27

South Carolina

Relative Notification
S.C. Code § 63-7-2320

Kinship Care Placement Preference
S.C. Code § 63-7-730

South Dakota

Kinship Care Placement Preference
S.D. Codified Laws § 26-7A-19
S.D. Codified Laws § 26-7A-19.1.

Tennessee

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Tenn. Code § 37-2-403

Texas

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Tex. Fam. Code § 264.752
Tex. Fam. Code § 264.753

Utah

Relative Notification
Utah Code § 78A-6-307

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Utah Code § 78A-6-307
Utah Code § 62A-4a-202.1
Utah Code § 62A-4a-209

Vermont

Relative Notification
Vt. Stat. tit. 33, § 5307
Vt. Stat. tit. 33, § 5308

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Vt. Stat. tit. 33, § 5308

Virginia

Relative Notification
Va. Code § 63.2-900.1

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Va. Code § 16.1-252
Va. Code § 63.2-900
Va. Code § 63.2-900.1

West Virginia

Kinship Care Placement Preference
W. Va. Code § 49-4-114

Washington

Relative Notification
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.13.600

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Wash. Rev. Code § 13.34.130
Wash. Rev. Code § 13.34.060
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.13.600

Wisconsin

Relative Notification
Wis. Stat. § 48.21(5)(e)(2)

Wyoming

Kinship Care Placement Preference
Wyo. Ann. Stat. § 14-3-208

Guam

Relative Notification
Guam Ann. Code Tit. 19, §§ 13101; § 13317; § 13324

Puerto Rico

Kinship Care Placement Preference
P.R. Laws Ann. tit. 1, § 412

Medical and Educational Consent

Forty-one states and the District of Columbia have enacted educational and/or medical consent laws that allow kinship caregivers to enroll children in school and make other educational and health decisions on their behalf, usually with their parents’ consent and without having to obtain legal custody.

The table below provides an overview of states with educational consent laws, medical consent laws, or both. In many states, these laws are in the same statute.

STATE	EDUCATIONAL CONSENT	MEDICAL CONSENT	CITATION
Alabama			Ala. Code § 26-2A-7
Alaska
Arizona			Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-514.05(C)
Arkansas			Ark. Code. Ann. § 20-9-602 Ark. Code. Ann. § 9-27-353
Arkansas
California			Cal. [Welf. & Inst.] Code § 366.27 Cal. [Fam.] Code § 6550
Colorado			Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 25-4-1704
Connecticut			Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 10-253 (d) Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 46b-129
Delaware			Del. Code Ann. tit. 14 § 202 Del. Code Ann. tit. 13 § 707
District of Columbia			D.C. Code § 16-4901(a)
Florida			Fla. Stat. Ann. § 743.0645
Georgia			Ga. Code Ann § 20-1-14 and § 20-1-16
Georgia			Ga. Code Ann 20-1-14 Ga. Code Ann 20-1-15 Ga. Code Ann 20-1-16 Ga. Code Ann 19-9-124
Hawaii			Haw. Rev. Stat. § 302A-482 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 577-28
Idaho			Idaho Code Ann § 39-4504
Illinois
Indiana			Ind. Code Ann. § 20-26-11-2 Ind. Code Ann. § 16-36-1-5(b)
Iowa			Iowa Code Ann. § 282.19 (et. Seq)
Kansas			Kan. Stat. Ann. § 38-137 (et. Seq)
Kentucky			Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. 27A.095
Louisiana			La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 9:975
Maine
Maryland			Md. Code Ann. [Educ.] 7-101 Md. Code Ann. [Health-Gen.] § 20-105(i)
Massachusetts			Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 201F § 2
Michigan			Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 380.1148
Minnesota
Mississippi			Miss. Code Ann. 41-41-3
Missouri			Mo. Ann. Stat. 431.061 Mo. Ann. Stat. 431.058
Montana			Mont. Code Ann 20-5-501 Mont. Code Ann. 20-5-502 Mont. Code Ann. 20-5-503
Nebraska
Nevada			Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 129.040
New Hampshire
New Jersey			N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:38-1
New Mexico			N.M. Stat. Ann. 40-10B-15
New York			N.Y. [Family Court Act] § 657 N.Y. [Pub. Health] § 2504
North Carolina			N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-366 N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 32A-31
North Dakota			N.D. Cent. Code § 23-12-13
Ohio			Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3109.69
Oklahoma			Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 70 § 1-113 Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 10A § 1-3-101
Oregon			Or. Rev. Stat. 109.575
Pennsylvania			11 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 2513
Rhode Island			R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-64-1
South Carolina			S.C. Code Ann. § 59-63-32 S.C. Code Ann. § 44-26-60
South Dakota			S.D. Codified Laws 13-28-10 S.D. Codified Laws 34-12C-3
Tennessee			Tenn. Code Ann. § 34-6-304 Tenn. Code Ann.§ 34-6-216
Texas			Tex. [Educ.] Code Ann. § 25.001 Tex. [Fam.] Code Ann. § 32.001
Utah			Utah Code Ann. 53A-2-202 Utah Code Ann. 75-5-103
Vermont
Virginia			Va. Code Ann. 54.1-2969 Va. Code Ann. 22.1-3
Washington			Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.225.220 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.70.065
West Virginia
Wisconsin			Wis. Stat. Ann. 48.979
Wyoming			Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 3-2-302

Licensing and Waivers

The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 requires that kinship/relative caregivers meet the same licensing standards as foster parents. Thirty-nine states have adopted relative-specific provisions, particularly around emergency placements and background checks, for relatives who may not be able to meet the standard of foster parent, but it would be in the best interest to place the child with them.

Twenty-five states have statutory waivers or variances:

The most common waiver is for any requirement that would not impact the health, safety or well-being of the child (Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia).
Eleven other states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Dakota) have general language stating that a waiver or variance is possible if the best interest of the child is maintained.
Two states (South Carolina and Tennessee) allow the age requirement (21 years) to be waived if the relative’s spouse is 21 or older and the relative is between 18 and 21 years of age.
One state, Texas, allows for waiver of some licensing requirements if there is a longstanding or significant relationship between the child and the relative, or the child has lived with the relative for a specified period of time.

The map below provides relative-specific licensing provisions and variance or waiver allowances available to relatives.

Thirty-nine states have relative-specific licensing provisions in statute, including age requirements and degrees of consanguinity. Twenty-five states have statutory waiver or variance provisions.

Relative Caregiver Licensing, Waivers and Variances

Relative Specific Licensing Standard

Statutory Waiver or Variance

Both

No Statute

U.S. states

Click a state to learn more about licensing laws.

Alabama

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Ala. Code § 38-12-2 - Ala. Code § 38-12-3
- Ala. Code § 38-12-4

Waiver or Variance
Ala. Code § 38-12-2

Alaska

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Alaska Stat. § 47.14.100 (e), (f)

Waiver or Variance
Alaska Stat. § 47.32.030

Arizona

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-514.03

Arkansas

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Ark. Code. § 9-27-355 Ark. Code § 9-28-108

Waiver or Variance
Ark. Code Ann. § 9-28-402(3)

California

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 309(d)
- Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 362.7
- Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 361.4. Placement of child in home of relative or prospective guardian; prior background check
- Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 361.45

Waiver or Variance
Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 1529.2

Colorado

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-107

Connecticut

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-114 (a), (c)

Waiver or Variance
Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-114(c)

Delaware

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Del. Code tit. 31, § 356

Florida

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Fla. Stat. § 409.175(4)(a)
- Fla. Stat. §39.521
- Fla. Stat. § 39.6231
- Fla. Stat. § 39.5085

Waiver or Variance
Fla. Stat. Ann. § 409.175(3)(c), (5)(a)

Georgia

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Ga. Code § 49-5-12

Hawaii

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 587A-10
- Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 346-17

Idaho

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Idaho Code § 39-1211

Waiver or Variance
Idaho Code § 39-1211A

Illinois

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 225, § 10-2.17
- Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 20, § 505-7(b)

Waiver or Variance
Ill. Comp. Stat. tit. 20 § 505-7(b)

Indiana

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Ind. Code Ann. § 31-27-4-12
- Ind. Code Ann. § 31-27-4-6(b), (c), (d)
- Ind. Code Ann. § 31-27-4-8
- Ind. Code Ann. § 31-27-2-8

Waiver or Variance
Ind. Code Ann. 31-27-2-8

Iowa

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Iowa Code § 237.4

Waiver or Variance
- Iowa Code Ann. § 237.5A
- Iowa Code Ann. § 237.4

Kansas

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-508(c)
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-508(d)-(e)
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-516(a)
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-516(b)-(c)
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-516(e)-(f)

Waiver or Variance
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-504

Kentucky

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 199.462

Louisiana

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- La. Rev. Stat. § 46:283
- La. Rev. Stat. § 46:286.1

Waiver or Variance
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 46:283 (A)-(C)(2)(c), (C)(2)(d)

Maine

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, § 8101(3)

Maryland

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Md. Fam. Law Code § 5-534

Waiver or Variance
Md. Fam. Law Code § 5-507

Massachusetts

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 15D, § 6 (d)

Michigan

Waiver or Variance
Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.118b

Minnesota

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Minn. Stat. § 245A.03
- Minn. Stat. § 245A.035

Waiver or Variance
- Minn. Stat. Ann. § 245A.04(9)
- Minn. Stat. Ann. § 245C.30

Mississippi

Waiver or Variance
- Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-105
- Miss. Code Ann. § 43-15-13

Missouri

Waiver or Variance
- Mo. Ann. Stat. § 210.565
- Mo. Ann. Stat. § 210.487

Montana

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Mont. Code § 52-2-621

Waiver or Variance
Mont. Code § 52-2-621

Nebraska

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1902
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1903
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1904

Waiver or Variance
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1904
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-1902

New Hampshire

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 170-E:27

New Mexico

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
N.M. Stat. § 32A-3A-11

Waiver or Variance
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-7A-5

New York

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 1028-a

North Dakota

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
N.D. Cent. Code § 50-11-01

Ohio

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5103.031

Oklahoma

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Okla. Stat. tit 10a, § 1-9-116

Pennsylvania

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Pa. Stat. Ann. tit. 62 § 1302
Pa. Stat. Ann. tit. 11 § 2632

Waiver or Variance
Pa. Stat. Admin. Code Tit. 55 § 3680.5

Rhode Island

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-72.1-4

South Carolina

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- S.C. Code § 63-7-2320
- S.C. Code § 63-7-2330
- S.C. Code § 63-7-730

Waiver or Variance
S.C. Code § 63-7-730

South Dakota

Waiver or Variance
S.D. Codified Laws § 26-6-9

Tennessee

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Tenn. Code § 37-2-414(b)(1)-(3)

Waiver or Variance
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-2-414(b)(3)

Texas

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Tex. Fam. Code § 264.7541
- Tex. Fam. Code § 264.760

Waiver or Variance
Tex. [Fam.] Code 264.7541

Utah

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Utah Code Ann. § 62A-2-120
- Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-307
- Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-209
- Utah. Code Ann. § 62A-2-117.5

Waiver or Variance
- Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-131
- Utah Code Ann. § 78A-6-308
- Utah Code Ann. § 62A-2-117.5

Vermont

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Vt. Stat. tit.33, § 4905

Virginia

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Va. Code § 63.2-901.1(F)
- Va. Code § 63.2-900.1

Waiver or Variance
- Va. Code Ann. § 63.2-900.1
- Va. Code Ann. § 63.2-1703

Washington

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.15.030

West Virginia

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-121
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-117
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-115
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-114
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-113
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-107
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-106

Waiver or Variance
W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-122

Wisconsin

Relative-Specific Licensing Provisions
- Wis. Stat. § 48.75
- Wis. Stat. § 48.62(2)

Sources:

Grandfamilies.org database
Child Welfare Information Gateway, Placement of Children with Relatives

Financing

The Fostering Connections Act of 2008 allows states the option to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of the children, using federal Title I-VE funds for this purpose. To receive payments, states must negotiate and enter into written binding kinship guardianship assistance agreements with prospective relative guardians.

Thirty-five states and D.C. have an approved Guardianship Assistance Program reimbursable through Title IV-E. Most of these states have provisions in statute, though some are in administrative code.

Subsidized Guardianship and Other Financing

Kinship Subsidized Guardianship Assistance Agreement

No Statute

U.S interactive map

Click a state to learn more about financing laws.

Alabama

Ala. Code § 38-12-30 et.seq.
Ala. Code § 38-12-31
Ala. Code § 38-12-32
Ala. Code § 38-12-33
Ala. Code § 38-12-34

Alaska

Alaska Stat. § 47.14.100(d)(3)

Arizona

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-871
Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-874
Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-814

Arkansas

Ark. Code Ann. § 9-8-201 et.seq.
Ark. Code Ann. § 9-8-204

California

Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 360
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 11385-93
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 11360-79
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 11361
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 16000.5

Colorado

Colorado-Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 26-5-110

Connecticut

Connecticut-Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-126

Delaware

Del. Code Ann. tit. 13, § 2333

District of Columbia

D.C. Code § 4-251.01 et.seq.
D.C. Code § 4-251.02 et.seq.
D.C. Code § 16-2399

Florida

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 39.5085
Fla. Stat. Ann. § 39.6221

Georgia

N/A

Hawaii

N/A

Idaho

Idaho Code Ann. § 56-805

Illinois

N/A

Indiana

N/A

Iowa

N/A

Kansas

Kan. Stat. Ann. § 38-142 et.seq.
§38-148

Kentucky

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 605.120

Louisiana

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 46:237

Maine

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22 § 4038-D

Maryland

Md. Cts. & Jud. Pro. Code § 3-819.2

Massachusetts

N/A

Michigan

Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. 722.871 et.seq.
Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. 722.881

Minnesota

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 256N.22
Minn. Stat. Ann. § 257.85(6)

Mississippi

N/A

Missouri

Mo. Ann. Stat. § 453.072

Montana

Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-444

Nebraska

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-284.02
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-4511

Nevada

Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 422A.650
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 432B.621 et.seq.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 432B.623

New Hampshire

N/A

New Jersey

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 3B:12A-1 et.seq.
§ 3B:12A-6
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 30:4C-85

New Mexico

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 32A-5-45
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 32A-4-31

New York

N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 458-a et.seq.
N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 458-b

North Carolina

N/A

North Dakota

N/A

Ohio

Ohio Rev. Code § 5101.802

Oklahoma

Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 10 § 22.1
Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 10A § 1-9-122

Oregon

Or. Rev. Stat. § 418.330

Pennsylvania

Pa. Stat. Ann. tit. 62 §§ 1301 et.seq.
§ 1303.1

Rhode Island

R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-12.3

South Carolina

N/A

South Dakota

N/A

Tennessee

Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-2-414

Texas

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 264.851 et.seq.
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 264.852
Tex. Fam. Code § 264.755
Tex. Fam. Code § 264.760

Utah

N/A

Vermont

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 14 § 2660 et.seq. § 2662
Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 33 § 4903(7)

Virginia

Va. Code § 63.2-900.1
Va. Code § 63.2-908

Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 74.13.062
Wash. Rev. Code § 13.34.234
Wash. Rev. Code § 13.36.090

West Virginia

W. Va. Code § 49-4-112

Wisconsin

Wis. Stat. Ann. § 48.623(1)

Wyoming

N/A

Other Supports

Statutes address definitions of relative and relative standing in hearings.

In 28 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, when a suitable relative cannot be found, the agency may consider placing the child with fictive kin. Fictive kin refers to a person who is not related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption but who is known to the family, has a substantial and positive relationship with the child, and is willing and able to provide a suitable home for the child. Examples include the adoptive parent of the child’s sibling, a nonrelated godparent, a close family friend, a neighbor, a clergy member, or other adult who has a close and caring relationship with the child.

Expanded Definition of Relative: Fictive Kin

Fictive Kin Definition

No Statute

Most states allow other persons who have an interest in a child’s welfare, such as the foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative currently providing care for the child, to attend hearings. Other persons who may be allowed to attend include a child’s grandparent or other relative who is not currently caring for the child.

U.S. states

Click a state to learn more about Expanded Definition of Relative: Fictive Kin.

Alaska

Alaska Stat. §§ 47.14.100; 47.10.990

Arkansas

Ann. Code §§ 9-27-355; 9-27-303(65)

Connecticut

Ann. Stat. § 17a-114

Florida

Ann. Stat. §§ 39.01

Georgia

Ann. Code §§ 15-11-2; 15-11-135(e)

Hawaii

Rev. Stat. §§ 587A-4; 587A-9

Idaho

Idaho Code § 16-1602; 16-1629; Admin. Code § 16.06.01.401

Illinois

Comp. Stat. Ch. 20, § 505/7

Indiana

Ann. Code § 31-9-2-107

Kansas

Ann. Stat. §§ 38-2202(q), (bb); 38-2255(d)

Kentucky

Rev. Stat. §§ 620.090; 620.140; 600.020(28)

Louisiana

Ch. C. Art. 622; Rev. Stat. §§ 46:286.1

Massachusetts

Ann. Laws Ch. 119, § 23; Code of Rules Tit. 110, § 7.101

Minnesota

Ann. Stat. §§ 260C.212; 260C.221

Missouri

Ann. Stat. § 210.565

Nevada

Ann. Stat. §§ 128.110; 432B.550

New Jersey

Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-12.1; Admin. Code §§ 3A:51-1.3; 3A:51-2.2

New York

Ct. Act §§ 1017; 1055-b; 1012

North Carolina

Gen. Stat. §§ 7B-505; 7B-101

North Dakota

Cent. Code § 27-20-02

Ohio

Rev. Code §§ 5101.85; 5153.161; Admin. Code § 5101:2-42-05

Oregon

Rev. Stat. §§ 419B.192; 419B.116

Pennsylvania

Cons. Stat. Tit. 42, § 6351; Pa. Stat. Tit. 62, §§ 1302; 1303

Rhode Island

Gen. Laws § 40-11-12.2; Code of Rules § 03-009-001

South Carolina

Ann. Code §§ 63-7-2320; 63-7-1680

Texas

Fam. Code §§ 264.751; 264.752; 262.0022

Utah

Ann. Code § 78A-6-307

Vermont

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, §§ 5307; 5308

Relative Standing in Hearings

Relative Right to Be Present, Heard and Present Testimony at a Hearing

Relatives’ Standing or Right to be a Party

No Statute

U.S. states

Click a state to learn more about relative standing in hearings.

Vermont

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 5321

Washington

Rev. Code §§ 13.34.070; 13.34.138; 13.34.145

Wisconsin

Ann. Stat. § 48.38

Rhode Island

Gen. Laws § 40-11.12.1

Illinois

705 ILCS 405/1-5
Formerly cited as IL ST CH 37 801-5 405/1-5. Rights of parties to proceedings
Effective: January 1, 2014

Indiana

Ann. Code § 31-34-21-4

Pennsylvania

Cons. Stat. Tit. 42, §§ 6310; 6336.1(a)

Missouri

Ann. Stat. §§ 210.710; 210.761

West Virginia

Ann. Code § 49-4-608

Utah

Ann. Code §§ 78A-6-306; 78A-6-317

Mississippi

Ann. Code § 43-15-13

Puerto Rico

Ann. Laws Tit. 8, §§ 447n; 447o; 447p

New Mexico

Ann. Stat. §§ 32A-4-21; 32A-4-27; 32A-4-31; 32A-4-9; 40-10B-3

Texas

V.T.C.A., Family Code § 102.003 § 102.003