{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-908.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-908.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-908.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-908.html"}],"law_id":83951,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83951,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-908","catch_line":"Permanent foster care placement","history":"1977, c. 559, \u00a7 63.1-206.1; 1978, c. 671; 1984, c. 70; 2002, c. 747; 2016, c. 631.","full_text":"A\n\nPermanent foster care placement means the place in which a child has been placed pursuant to the provisions of §§ 63.2-900, 63.2-903 and this section with the expectation and agreement between the placing agency and the place of permanent foster care that the child shall remain in the placement until he reaches the age of majority unless modified by court order or unless removed pursuant to § 16.1-251 or § 63.2-1517. A permanent foster care placement may be a place of residence of any natural person or persons deemed appropriate to meet a child’s needs on a long-term basis.B\n\nA local department or a licensed child-placing agency shall have authority pursuant to a court order to place a child who is 16 years of age or older over whom it has legal custody in a permanent foster care placement where the child shall remain until attaining majority or thereafter, until the age of 21 years, if such placement is a requisite to providing funds for the care of such child, so long as the child is a participant in an educational, treatment or training program approved pursuant to regulations of the Board. No such child shall be removed from the physical custody of the foster parents in the permanent care placement except upon order of the court or pursuant to § 16.1-251 or § 63.2-1517. The department or agency so placing a child shall retain legal custody of the child. A court shall not order that a child be placed in permanent foster care unless it finds that (i) diligent efforts have been made by the local department to place the child with his natural parents and such efforts have been unsuccessful, and (ii) diligent efforts have been made by the local department to place the child for adoption and such efforts have been unsuccessful or adoption is not a reasonable alternative for a long-term placement for the child under the circumstances.C\n\nUnless modified by the court order, the foster parent in the permanent foster care placement shall have the authority to consent to surgery, entrance into the armed services, marriage, application for a motor vehicle and driver’s license, application for admission into an institution of higher education, and any other such activities that require parental consent and shall have the responsibility for informing the placing department or agency of any such actions.D\n\nAny child placed in a permanent foster care placement by a local department shall, with the cooperation of the foster parents with whom the permanent foster care placement has been made, receive the same services and benefits as any other child in foster care pursuant to §§ 63.2-319, 63.2-900 and 63.2-903 and any other applicable provisions of law.E\n\nThe Board shall establish minimum standards for the utilization, supervision and evaluation of permanent foster care placements.F\n\nThe rate of payment for permanent foster care placements by a local department shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the Board. The rate of payment for such placements by other licensed child-placing agencies shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the individual agency.G\n\nIf the child has a continuing involvement with his natural parents, the natural parents should be involved in the planning for a permanent placement. The court order placing the child in a permanent placement shall include a specification of the nature and frequency of visiting arrangements with the natural parents.H\n\nAny change in the placement of a child in permanent foster care or the responsibilities of the foster parents for that child shall be made only by order of the court which ordered the placement pursuant to a petition filed by the foster parents, local department, licensed child-placing agency or other appropriate party.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":300845,"text":"Permanent foster care placement means the place in which a child has been placed pursuant to the provisions of §§ 63.2-900, 63.2-903 and this section with the expectation and agreement between the placing agency and the place of permanent foster care that the child shall remain in the placement until he reaches the age of majority unless modified by court order or unless removed pursuant to § 16.1-251 or § 63.2-1517. A permanent foster care placement may be a place of residence of any natural person or persons deemed appropriate to meet a child’s needs on a long-term basis.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":300846,"text":"A local department or a licensed child-placing agency shall have authority pursuant to a court order to place a child who is 16 years of age or older over whom it has legal custody in a permanent foster care placement where the child shall remain until attaining majority or thereafter, until the age of 21 years, if such placement is a requisite to providing funds for the care of such child, so long as the child is a participant in an educational, treatment or training program approved pursuant to regulations of the Board. No such child shall be removed from the physical custody of the foster parents in the permanent care placement except upon order of the court or pursuant to § 16.1-251 or § 63.2-1517. The department or agency so placing a child shall retain legal custody of the child. A court shall not order that a child be placed in permanent foster care unless it finds that (i) diligent efforts have been made by the local department to place the child with his natural parents and such efforts have been unsuccessful, and (ii) diligent efforts have been made by the local department to place the child for adoption and such efforts have been unsuccessful or adoption is not a reasonable alternative for a long-term placement for the child under the circumstances.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":300847,"text":"Unless modified by the court order, the foster parent in the permanent foster care placement shall have the authority to consent to surgery, entrance into the armed services, marriage, application for a motor vehicle and driver’s license, application for admission into an institution of higher education, and any other such activities that require parental consent and shall have the responsibility for informing the placing department or agency of any such actions.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":300848,"text":"Any child placed in a permanent foster care placement by a local department shall, with the cooperation of the foster parents with whom the permanent foster care placement has been made, receive the same services and benefits as any other child in foster care pursuant to §§ 63.2-319, 63.2-900 and 63.2-903 and any other applicable provisions of law.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":300849,"text":"The Board shall establish minimum standards for the utilization, supervision and evaluation of permanent foster care placements.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":300850,"text":"The rate of payment for permanent foster care placements by a local department shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the Board. The rate of payment for such placements by other licensed child-placing agencies shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the individual agency.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":300851,"text":"If the child has a continuing involvement with his natural parents, the natural parents should be involved in the planning for a permanent placement. The court order placing the child in a permanent placement shall include a specification of the nature and frequency of visiting arrangements with the natural parents.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":300852,"text":"Any change in the placement of a child in permanent foster care or the responsibilities of the foster parents for that child shall be made only by order of the court which ordered the placement pursuant to a petition filed by the foster parents, local department, licensed child-placing agency or other appropriate party.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-908\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 559 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1978, chapter 671; in 1984, chapter 70; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 631<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":63788,"section_number":"16.1-228","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-228\/"},{"id":55053,"section_number":"16.1-282.1","catch_line":"Permanency planning hearing for children in foster care","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-282.1\/"},{"id":79461,"section_number":"58.1-322.03","catch_line":"Virginia taxable income; deductions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-322.03\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55186,"section_number":"16.1-251","catch_line":"Emergency removal order","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-251\/"},{"id":61486,"section_number":"63.2-1517","catch_line":"Authority to take child into custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1517\/"},{"id":86602,"section_number":"63.2-319","catch_line":"Child welfare and other services","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-319\/"},{"id":87280,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-900\/"},{"id":83322,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-903\/"}],"permalink":{"id":272061,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83951,"identifier":"63.2-908","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-908","url":"\/63.2-908\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-908\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-908","dublin_core":{"Title":"Permanent foster care placement","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-908","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Permanent foster care placement<\/span> means the place in which a child<\/span> has been placed pursuant to the provisions of §§ 63.2-900<\/a>, 63.2-903<\/a> and this section with the expectation and agreement between the placing agency and the place of permanent foster care that the child<\/span> shall remain in the placement until he reaches the age of majority unless modified by court order<\/span> or unless removed pursuant to § 16.1-251<\/a> or § 63.2-1517<\/a>. A permanent foster care placement<\/span> may be a place of residence of any natural person or persons deemed appropriate to meet a child<\/span>’s needs on a long-term basis. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A local department<\/span> or a licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> shall have authority pursuant to a court order<\/span> to place a child<\/span> who is 16 years of age or older over whom it has legal custody<\/span> in a permanent foster care placement<\/span> where the child<\/span> shall remain until attaining majority or thereafter, until the age of 21 years, if such placement is a requisite to providing funds for the care of such child<\/span>, so long as the child<\/span> is a participant in an educational, treatment or training program approved pursuant to regulations of the Board<\/span>. No such child<\/span> shall be removed from the physical custody<\/span> of the foster parents in the permanent care placement except upon order of the court or pursuant to § 16.1-251<\/a> or § 63.2-1517<\/a>. The department or agency so placing a child<\/span> shall retain legal custody<\/span> of the child<\/span>. A court shall not order that a child<\/span> be placed in permanent foster care unless it finds that (i) diligent efforts have been made by the local department<\/span> to place the child<\/span> with his natural parents and such efforts have been unsuccessful, and (ii) diligent efforts have been made by the local department<\/span> to place the child<\/span> for adoption and such efforts have been unsuccessful or adoption is not a reasonable alternative for a long-term placement for the child<\/span> under the circumstances. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Unless modified by the court order<\/span>, the foster parent in the permanent foster care placement<\/span> shall have the authority to consent to surgery, entrance into the armed services, marriage, application for a motor vehicle and driver’s license, application for admission into an institution of higher education, and any other such activities that require parental consent and shall have the responsibility for informing the placing department or agency of any such actions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any child<\/span> placed in a permanent foster care placement<\/span> by a local department<\/span> shall, with the cooperation of the foster parents with whom the permanent foster care placement<\/span> has been made, receive the same services and benefits as any other child<\/span> in foster care pursuant to §§ 63.2-319<\/a>, 63.2-900<\/a> and 63.2-903<\/a> and any other applicable provisions of law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall establish minimum standards for the utilization, supervision and evaluation of permanent foster care placements<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The rate of payment for permanent foster care placements<\/span> by a local department<\/span> shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the Board<\/span>. The rate of payment for such placements by other licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the individual agency. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> If the child<\/span> has a continuing involvement with his natural parents, the natural parents should be involved in the planning for a permanent placement. The court order<\/span> placing the child<\/span> in a permanent placement shall include a specification of the nature and frequency of visiting arrangements with the natural parents. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> Any change in the placement of a child<\/span> in permanent foster care or the responsibilities of the foster parents for that child<\/span> shall be made only by order of the court which ordered the placement pursuant to a petition<\/span> filed by the foster parents, local department<\/span>, licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> or other appropriate party<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERMANENT FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT (\u00a7 63.2-908)\n\nA. Permanent foster care placement means the place in which a child has been\nplaced pursuant to the provisions of §§ 63.2-900, 63.2-903 and this\nsection with the expectation and agreement between the placing agency and the\nplace of permanent foster care that the child shall remain in the placement\nuntil he reaches the age of majority unless modified by court order or unless\nremoved pursuant to § 16.1-251 or § 63.2-1517. A permanent foster care\nplacement may be a place of residence of any natural person or persons deemed\nappropriate to meet a child’s needs on a long-term basis.\n\nB. A local department or a licensed child-placing agency shall have authority\npursuant to a court order to place a child who is 16 years of age or older over\nwhom it has legal custody in a permanent foster care placement where the child\nshall remain until attaining majority or thereafter, until the age of 21 years,\nif such placement is a requisite to providing funds for the care of such child,\nso long as the child is a participant in an educational, treatment or training\nprogram approved pursuant to regulations of the Board. No such child shall be\nremoved from the physical custody of the foster parents in the permanent care\nplacement except upon order of the court or pursuant to § 16.1-251 or\n§ 63.2-1517. The department or agency so placing a child shall retain legal\ncustody of the child. A court shall not order that a child be placed in\npermanent foster care unless it finds that (i) diligent efforts have been made\nby the local department to place the child with his natural parents and such\nefforts have been unsuccessful, and (ii) diligent efforts have been made by the\nlocal department to place the child for adoption and such efforts have been\nunsuccessful or adoption is not a reasonable alternative for a long-term\nplacement for the child under the circumstances.\n\nC. Unless modified by the court order, the foster parent in the permanent foster\ncare placement shall have the authority to consent to surgery, entrance into the\narmed services, marriage, application for a motor vehicle and driver’s\nlicense, application for admission into an institution of higher education, and\nany other such activities that require parental consent and shall have the\nresponsibility for informing the placing department or agency of any such\nactions.\n\nD. Any child placed in a permanent foster care placement by a local department\nshall, with the cooperation of the foster parents with whom the permanent foster\ncare placement has been made, receive the same services and benefits as any\nother child in foster care pursuant to §§ 63.2-319, 63.2-900 and\n63.2-903 and any other applicable provisions of law.\n\nE. The Board shall establish minimum standards for the utilization, supervision\nand evaluation of permanent foster care placements.\n\nF. The rate of payment for permanent foster care placements by a local\ndepartment shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the\nBoard. The rate of payment for such placements by other licensed child-placing\nagencies shall be in accordance with standards and rates established by the\nindividual agency.\n\nG. If the child has a continuing involvement with his natural parents, the\nnatural parents should be involved in the planning for a permanent placement.\nThe court order placing the child in a permanent placement shall include a\nspecification of the nature and frequency of visiting arrangements with the\nnatural parents.\n\nH. Any change in the placement of a child in permanent foster care or the\nresponsibilities of the foster parents for that child shall be made only by\norder of the court which ordered the placement pursuant to a petition filed by\nthe foster parents, local department, licensed child-placing agency or other\nappropriate party.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 559, \u00a7 63.1-206.1; 1978, c. 671; 1984, c. 70; 2002, c. 747;\n2016, c. 631.","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}}