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.
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:
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