Chapter 692 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

HB 3584

Relating to appropriate ethnic aesthetic care for children in foster care; amending ORS 418.255 and 418.640.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 418.255 is amended to read:

418.255. (1) The Department of Human Services shall inspect and supervise all private child-caring agencies, whether incorporated or not, within this state, and may inspect and supervise public child-caring agencies within [the] this state. The department is [hereby] given right of entrance, privilege of inspection, and access to all accounts and records of work and children, for the purpose of ascertaining the kind and quality of work done and to obtain a proper basis for its decisions and recommendations.

(2) Inspection and visitation of child-caring agencies by the department shall be made at unexpected times, with irregular intervals between visits, and without previous notice to the agency visited. In addition to such official inspection, many other informal visits shall be made.

(3) The department [and its agents] shall advise agency and institution officers and workers in regard to approved methods of child care, best types of housing and equipment and adequate records of agency or institutional work. The principal purpose of such advice shall be to offer friendly counsel and assistance on child welfare problems and advice on progressive methods and improvement of the service.

(4) In addition to advice provided under subsection (3) of this section, the department shall provide training regarding appropriate ethnic hair and skin care for children of African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian-American or multiracial descent to:

(a) Child-caring agencies;

(b) Persons providing treatment, care or services under the supervision of a child-caring agency; and

(c) Prospective adoptive parents of a child in foster care.

SECTION 2. ORS 418.640 is amended to read:

418.640. (1) The Department of Human Services shall adopt such rules, not inconsistent with ORS 418.625 to 418.645, as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the best interests of children in foster homes and to carry out the intent and purpose of ORS 418.625 to 418.645.

(2)(a) The department shall [adopt rules assuring that all foster parents receive training designed]:

(A) Provide training to assist the foster parent both in [both] understanding the mental and emotional problems that occur in child victims of abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse and rape of a child, as defined in ORS 419B.005, and in managing the behavior that may result from such problems; and

(B) Provide training to foster parents and prospective adoptive parents of a child in foster care regarding appropriate ethnic hair and skin care for children of African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian-American or multiracial descent.

(b) The training under this subsection shall be provided in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

(3) The Board on Public Safety Standards and Training shall develop a training program for law enforcement officers investigating child abuse cases and interviewing child abuse victims. The curriculum shall address the area of training and education necessary to facilitate the skills necessary to investigate reports of child abuse. The curriculum shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Assessment of risk to child;

(b) Dynamics of child abuse; and

(4) The department or duly authorized representative shall visit every certified foster home from time to time and as often as appears necessary to determine that such foster home consistently maintains the standards fixed by the department and that proper care is being given to the children therein.

Approved by the Governor August 2, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State August 2, 2011

Effective date January 1, 2012

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