[§587-3]  Foster children; guiding
principles.  (a)  The department, as foster or permanent custodian, shall
abide by the following guiding principles and shall ensure that foster
children:



(1)  Live in a safe and healthy home, free from
physical, psychological, sexual, and other abuse;



(2)  Have adequate:



(A)  Food that is nutritious and healthy;



(B)  Clothing;



(C)  Medical, dental and orthodontic, and
corrective vision care; and



(D)  Mental health services;



(3)  Have supervised in-person contact and telephone
or mail correspondence with the child's parents and siblings while the child is
in foster care unless prohibited by court order;



(4)  Have direct contact with a social worker,
guardian ad litem, and probation officer;



(5)  May freely exercise their own religious beliefs,
including refusal to attend any religious activities and services;



(6)  Have a personal bank account and assistance
managing their personal income, consistent with the child's age and
development, unless prohibited due to safety or health concerns;



(7)  Have the right to attend school and participate
in appropriate extracurricular activities, and, if a child is moved during a
school year, complete the school year at the same school, if practicable; and



(8)  Are provided with life skills training and a
transition plan starting at age twelve to provide adequate transitioning for
children aging out of the foster care system.  The department shall provide
written information to all foster children twelve years of age or older and
their foster parents about available independent living programs, including
available foster youth organizations, transitional planning services, and
independent living case management programs.



(b)  The family court may issue any necessary
orders, sua sponte or upon appropriate motion, to the department of education,
department of human services, or department of health to ensure adherence to
the guiding principles enumerated in subsection (a). [L 2008, c 183, §1]