| Child Welfare Agency's Potential Malpractice Liability for Violating Parental Rights |
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| Although intervention by a child welfare agency is sometimes required for the protection of a child, sometimes the investigation may become over zealous or slanderous in nature. Investigating claims that a child is the subject of mistreatment is difficult. The agency should attempt to investigate all claims made with a balanced outlook.
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| Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 |
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| In 2003, the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act was enacted. The Act authorizes fines and/or jail terms of up to two years for any doctor who performs a partial birth abortion. A partial birth abortion is defined as an abortion in which the baby is delivered past the baby's navel outside the body of the mother or after the entire fetal head is outside the body of the mother. Most partial birth abortions are performed between 20 and 26 weeks. More... |
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| Child Welfare Agencies' Potential Malpractice Liability for Inadequate or Inappropriate Foster Care Services |
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| If a child welfare agency or caseworker determines that a child needs to be moved into protective custody, the agency's duty to that child is not discharged. The agency or caseworker has a continuing duty to ensure that the child is not mistreated in her foster care home.
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| Adoption and Safe Families Act - Permanency Plans and Hearings |
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| The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) requires states to conduct a permanency hearing within 12 months of a child's placement in foster care and at least every 12 months thereafter for as long as the child is in foster care. The date of the child's placement in foster care is the earlier of the following two dates: the date of the first judicial finding that the child is abused or neglected, or 60 days after the removal of the child from his or her home.
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| Medical Support for Children |
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| In most states, child support guidelines require that the cost of health insurance and extraordinary medical expenses of the child be included in establishing each parent's child support obligation.
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