                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

INVESTIGATION, VISITATION, AND SUPERVISION OF FOSTER HOMES OR INDEPENDENT LIVING
ARRANGEMENT; REMOVAL OF CHILD (§ 63.2-904)

A. 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.

B. 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.

C. 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&#8217;s
residential facility that fails to comply with any state or federal requirements
intended to protect the child&#8217;s health, safety, or well-being.

D. Consistent with the reasonable and prudent parent standard defined in 42
U.S.C. &#xA7; 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.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 63-242, 63-248; 1968, c. 578, §§ 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.