Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Queens) and Senator Joseph Griffo (R-Rome) announced that legislation (A8474/S6875) they drafted to protect foster children from being placed in unsuitable homes has passed both the Assembly and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. Currently, there is no formal system in place that would require an agency to review and evaluate an applicant’s history if the applicant were to apply to another agency to take in foster children.

“The state is responsible for the safety and security of every child placed in their care,” said Senator Griffo. “We already had some good screening requirements in place, but there were still ways for bad foster parents to take advantage of the system due to a lack of communication between local agencies and the state Office of Children and Family Services. We’re going to make sure those two groups are now talking, so that we can further ensure that children are being placed in good homes. I thank Assemblywoman Rozic for her advocacy and urge the governor to sign this bill.”

“It is our responsibility to ensure that children in foster care are under the proper guardianship and placed in a safe environment,” said Assemblywoman Rozic. “By closing these loopholes, we will no longer be jeopardizing the safety and well-being of our children.”

The bill would require agencies to consult with the Office of Children and Family Services whether a foster parent’s application has been certified or revoked, or if a child was removed from the home. In such instances where a child was removed, the agency would be responsible for determining whether or not the foster parent should be re-certified and the home re-opened.

The bill now goes to the Governor to be signed into law.