Sponsor: Rep Andrew Koenig, District 99 (R)

Recommendation: Support

The bill establishes the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act that changes the laws regarding the delegation of powers relating to the care and custody of a child. A parent or legal custodian of a child may, by a properly executed power of attorney, delegate to an attorney-in-fact, for up to one year, any of the powers regarding the care and custody of the child, except the power to consent to marriage or adoption of the child, the performance or inducement of an abortion on or for the child, or the termination of parental rights to the child. A delegation of powers under these provisions must not deprive the parent or legal custodian of any parental or legal authority regarding the care and custody of the child. The bill requires the parent or legal custodian of the child to have the authority to revoke or withdraw the power of attorney at any time. If the delegation of authority lasts longer than one year, the parent or legal custodian of the child must execute a new power of attorney for each additional year that the delegation exists. If a parent withdraws or revokes the power of attorney, the child must be returned to the custody of the parents as soon as reasonably possible. Unless the authority is revoked or withdrawn by the parent, the attorney-in-fact must exercise parental or legal authority on a continuous basis without compensation for the duration of the power of attorney and must not be subject to any statutes dealing with the licensing or regulation of foster care homes.