{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-904.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-904.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-904.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-904.html"}],"law_id":76669,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76669,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904","catch_line":"Investigation, visitation, and supervision of foster homes or independent living arrangement; removal of child","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-242, 63-248; 1968, c. 578, \u00a7\u00a7 63.1-205, 63.1-211; 1989, c. 307; 2002, c. 747; 2008, cc. 475, 483; 2016, c. 631; 2017, c. 193; 2019, cc. 336, 446; 2023, c. 340.","full_text":"A\n\nBefore placing or arranging for the placement of any such child in a foster home or independent living arrangement, a local board or licensed child-placing agency shall cause a careful study to be made to determine the suitability of such home or independent living arrangement, and after placement shall cause such home or independent living arrangement and child to be visited as often as necessary to protect the interests of such child. Home studies by local boards or licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster parent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or regulation.B\n\nEvery local board or licensed child-placing agency that places a child in a foster home or independent living arrangement shall maintain such supervision over such home or independent living arrangement as shall be required by the standards and policies established by the Board.C\n\nWhenever any child placed by a local board or licensed child-placing agency and still under its control or supervision is subject, in the home in which he is placed, to unwholesome influences or to neglect or mistreatment, or whenever the Commissioner shall so order, such local board or agency shall cause the child to be removed from such home and shall make for him such arrangements as may be approved by the Commissioner. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner shall have the authority to place, remove, or direct the placement or removal of any child who is under the supervision and control of a local board or licensed child-placing agency. Pursuant to such authority, the Commissioner shall remove or direct the removal of any child placed by a local board or licensed child-placing agency in a foster home or children’s residential facility that fails to comply with any state or federal requirements intended to protect the child’s health, safety, or well-being.D\n\nConsistent with the reasonable and prudent parent standard defined in 42 U.S.C. § 675(10)(A), caregivers for children in foster care shall support normalcy for such children. The Board shall adopt regulations to assist local boards and licensed child-placing agencies in carrying out practices that support careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, and best interest of the child while at the same time encouraging his emotional and developmental growth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":275225,"text":"Before placing or arranging for the placement of any such child in a foster home or independent living arrangement, a local board or licensed child-placing agency shall cause a careful study to be made to determine the suitability of such home or independent living arrangement, and after placement shall cause such home or independent living arrangement and child to be visited as often as necessary to protect the interests of such child. Home studies by local boards or licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster parent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or regulation.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":275226,"text":"Every local board or licensed child-placing agency that places a child in a foster home or independent living arrangement shall maintain such supervision over such home or independent living arrangement as shall be required by the standards and policies established by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":275227,"text":"Whenever any child placed by a local board or licensed child-placing agency and still under its control or supervision is subject, in the home in which he is placed, to unwholesome influences or to neglect or mistreatment, or whenever the Commissioner shall so order, such local board or agency shall cause the child to be removed from such home and shall make for him such arrangements as may be approved by the Commissioner. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner shall have the authority to place, remove, or direct the placement or removal of any child who is under the supervision and control of a local board or licensed child-placing agency. Pursuant to such authority, the Commissioner shall remove or direct the removal of any child placed by a local board or licensed child-placing agency in a foster home or children’s residential facility that fails to comply with any state or federal requirements intended to protect the child’s health, safety, or well-being.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":275228,"text":"Consistent with the reasonable and prudent parent standard defined in 42 U.S.C. § 675(10)(A), caregivers for children in foster care shall support normalcy for such children. The Board shall adopt regulations to assist local boards and licensed child-placing agencies in carrying out practices that support careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, and best interest of the child while at the same time encouraging his emotional and developmental growth.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14390,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14389,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271971,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14390,"identifier":"1","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14389,"edition_id":1,"name":"Foster Care","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271969,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14389,"identifier":"9","token":"63.2\/III\/9","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Social Services Programs","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","permalink":{"id":271331,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13897,"identifier":"III","token":"63.2\/III","url":"\/63.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87280,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","url":"\/63.2-900\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900","metadata":false},{"id":64851,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.1","catch_line":"Kinship foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.1","metadata":false},{"id":70505,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.2","catch_line":"Placement of sibling groups; visitation","url":"\/63.2-900.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.2","metadata":false},{"id":76064,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.3","catch_line":"School placement of children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.3","metadata":false},{"id":72206,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-901","catch_line":"Supervision of placement of children in homes","url":"\/63.2-901\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-901","metadata":false},{"id":81648,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-901.1","catch_line":"Criminal history and central registry check for placements of children","url":"\/63.2-901.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-901.1","metadata":false},{"id":70305,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-902","catch_line":"Agreements with persons taking children; dispute resolution; appeals","url":"\/63.2-902\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-902","metadata":false},{"id":83322,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","url":"\/63.2-903\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-903","metadata":false},{"id":76669,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904","catch_line":"Investigation, visitation, and supervision of foster homes or independent living arrangement; removal of child","url":"\/63.2-904\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904","metadata":false},{"id":55728,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904.1","catch_line":"Intervention by Commissioner; corrective action plans; assumption of temporary control","url":"\/63.2-904.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904.1","metadata":false},{"id":63460,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904.2","catch_line":"Complaint system","url":"\/63.2-904.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904.2","metadata":false},{"id":72819,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905","catch_line":"Foster care services","url":"\/63.2-905\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905","metadata":false},{"id":63664,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.1","catch_line":"Independent living services","url":"\/63.2-905.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.1","metadata":false},{"id":76451,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.1:1","catch_line":" Housing services","url":"\/63.2-905.1_1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":59769,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.2","catch_line":"Security freezes and annual credit checks for children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-905.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.2","metadata":false},{"id":58742,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.3","catch_line":"Documents provided to foster care youth","url":"\/63.2-905.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.3","metadata":false},{"id":76193,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.4","catch_line":"Individuals in foster care on eighteenth birthday; enrollment in Commonwealth's program of medical assistance","url":"\/63.2-905.4\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.4","metadata":false},{"id":56947,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.5","catch_line":"Survey of children aging out of foster care","url":"\/63.2-905.5\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.5","metadata":false},{"id":73230,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.6","catch_line":"Notice of eligibility for certain federal benefits","url":"\/63.2-905.6\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.6","metadata":false},{"id":80427,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906","catch_line":"Foster care plans; permissible plan goals; court review of foster children","url":"\/63.2-906\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906","metadata":false},{"id":86904,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906.1","catch_line":"Qualified residential treatment programs","url":"\/63.2-906.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906.1","metadata":false},{"id":81818,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-907","catch_line":"Administrative review of children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-907\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-907","metadata":false},{"id":83951,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-908","catch_line":"Permanent foster care placement","url":"\/63.2-908\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-908","metadata":false},{"id":59063,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-909","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care by court","url":"\/63.2-909\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-909","metadata":false},{"id":63433,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care where legal custody remains with parent or guardian","url":"\/63.2-910\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910","metadata":false},{"id":60943,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.1","catch_line":"Acceptance of children by local departments of social services","url":"\/63.2-910.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.1","metadata":false},{"id":56471,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.2","catch_line":"Petition to terminate parental rights","url":"\/63.2-910.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.2","metadata":false},{"id":68598,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-911","catch_line":"Liability insurance for foster parents","url":"\/63.2-911\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-911","metadata":false},{"id":82345,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912","catch_line":"Visitation of child placed in foster care","url":"\/63.2-912\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912","metadata":false},{"id":75827,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912.1","catch_line":"Notification of certain rights of foster parents of public school students","url":"\/63.2-912.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912.1","metadata":false},{"id":65725,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913","catch_line":"Establishment of minimum training requirements","url":"\/63.2-913\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913","metadata":false},{"id":57259,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913.1","catch_line":"Caseload standard","url":"\/63.2-913.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913.1","metadata":false},{"id":80392,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-914","catch_line":"Not in effect","url":"\/63.2-914\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-914","metadata":false},{"id":61194,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-915","catch_line":"Appeals to Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-915\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-915","metadata":false},{"id":57653,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-916","catch_line":"Notice of developmental disabilities","url":"\/63.2-916\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-916","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83322,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","url":"\/63.2-903\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-903","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55728,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904.1","catch_line":"Intervention by Commissioner; corrective action plans; assumption of temporary control","url":"\/63.2-904.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-904\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1968, chapter 578; in 1989, chapter 307; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 475<\/a> and 483<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 631<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 193<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 336<\/a> and 446<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 340<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84982,"section_number":"63.2-1207","catch_line":"Removal of child from adoptive home","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1207\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":272005,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76669,"identifier":"63.2-904","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904","url":"\/63.2-904\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-904\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904","dublin_core":{"Title":"Investigation, visitation, and supervision of foster homes or independent living arrangement; removal of child","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-904","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Before placing or arranging for the placement of any such child<\/span> in a foster home<\/span> or independent living arrangement<\/span>, a local board<\/span> or licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> shall cause a careful study to be made to determine the suitability of such home or independent living arrangement<\/span>, and after placement shall cause such home or independent living arrangement<\/span> and child<\/span> to be visited as often as necessary to protect the interests of such child<\/span>. Home studies by local boards<\/span> or licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department<\/span>. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board<\/span> or a licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span>, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards<\/span>, and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster parent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law<\/span> or regulation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every local board<\/span> or licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> that places a child<\/span> in a foster home<\/span> or independent living arrangement<\/span> shall maintain such supervision over such home or independent living arrangement<\/span> as shall be required by the standards and policies established by the Board. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Whenever any child<\/span> placed by a local board<\/span> or licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> and still under its control or supervision is subject, in the home in which he is placed, to unwholesome influences or to neglect or mistreatment, or whenever the Commissioner<\/span> shall so order<\/span>, such local board<\/span> or agency shall cause the child<\/span> to be removed from such home and shall make for him such arrangements as may be approved by the Commissioner<\/span>. Notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>, the Commissioner<\/span> shall have the authority to place, remove, or direct the placement or removal of any child<\/span> who is under the supervision and control of a local board<\/span> or licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span>. Pursuant to such authority, the Commissioner<\/span> shall remove or direct the removal of any child<\/span> placed by a local board<\/span> or licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> in a foster home<\/span> or children’s residential facility that fails to comply with any state or federal requirements intended to protect the child<\/span>’s health, safety, or well-being. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Consistent with the reasonable and prudent parent standard defined in 42 U.S.C. § 675(10)(A), caregivers for children in foster care shall support normalcy for such children. The Board shall adopt regulations to assist local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies in carrying out practices that support careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, and best interest of the child<\/span> while at the same time encouraging his emotional and developmental growth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINVESTIGATION, VISITATION, AND SUPERVISION OF FOSTER HOMES OR INDEPENDENT LIVING\nARRANGEMENT; REMOVAL OF CHILD (\u00a7 63.2-904)\n\nA. Before placing or arranging for the placement of any such child in a foster\nhome or independent living arrangement, a local board or licensed child-placing\nagency shall cause a careful study to be made to determine the suitability of\nsuch home or independent living arrangement, and after placement shall cause\nsuch home or independent living arrangement and child to be visited as often as\nnecessary to protect the interests of such child. Home studies by local boards\nor licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the\nMutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed\nby the Department. All home studies, including all related approval\ndocumentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section,\nwhether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be\ntransferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing\nagencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster\nparent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or\nregulation.\n\nB. Every local board or licensed child-placing agency that places a child in a\nfoster home or independent living arrangement shall maintain such supervision\nover such home or independent living arrangement as shall be required by the\nstandards and policies established by the Board.\n\nC. Whenever any child placed by a local board or licensed child-placing agency\nand still under its control or supervision is subject, in the home in which he\nis placed, to unwholesome influences or to neglect or mistreatment, or whenever\nthe Commissioner shall so order, such local board or agency shall cause the\nchild to be removed from such home and shall make for him such arrangements as\nmay be approved by the Commissioner. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,\nthe Commissioner shall have the authority to place, remove, or direct the\nplacement or removal of any child who is under the supervision and control of a\nlocal board or licensed child-placing agency. Pursuant to such authority, the\nCommissioner shall remove or direct the removal of any child placed by a local\nboard or licensed child-placing agency in a foster home or children’s\nresidential facility that fails to comply with any state or federal requirements\nintended to protect the child’s health, safety, or well-being.\n\nD. Consistent with the reasonable and prudent parent standard defined in 42\nU.S.C. § 675(10)(A), caregivers for children in foster care shall support\nnormalcy for such children. The Board shall adopt regulations to assist local\nboards and licensed child-placing agencies in carrying out practices that\nsupport careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health,\nsafety, and best interest of the child while at the same time encouraging his\nemotional and developmental growth.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-242, 63-248; 1968, c. 578, \u00a7\u00a7 63.1-205, 63.1-211;\n1989, c. 307; 2002, c. 747; 2008, cc. 475, 483; 2016, c. 631; 2017, c. 193;\n2019, cc. 336, 446; 2023, c. 340.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}