Family Stability & Kinship Care
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects |
Concerning increasing family stability, and, in connection therewith, prioritizing kinship placements in certain circumstances and facilitating grandparent contact.
Bill Summary:
The act expands the definitions of 'grandparent' and 'great-grandparent' in the context of court-ordered family time to account for situations in which the child's father or mother is deceased.
To align with changes enacted in 2023 that address kinship and relative placements more broadly, the act repeals language specific to grandparent placements in child welfare cases and the types of evidence a court considers in connection with a grandparent's past abusive or neglectful conduct.
When a child or youth is removed from the home, the act requires the court to prioritize the child's or youth's temporary placement with a relative or kin, unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that temporary placement with the relative or kin is not in the best interests of the child.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/16/2026 | House Health & Human Services Preamend |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer House Bill 26-1314 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment G). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment H). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment I). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer House Bill 26-1314, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 9-4. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/06/2026 | Third Reading | BILL |
29
AYE
6
NO
0
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/21/2026 | Third Reading | BILL |
46
AYE
18
NO
1
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 06/01/2026 | Governor | Governor Signed |
| 05/22/2026 | Governor | Sent to the Governor |
| 05/22/2026 | Senate | Signed by the President of the Senate |
| 05/22/2026 | House | Signed by the Speaker of the House |
| 05/06/2026 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 05/05/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/30/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 04/24/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
| 04/21/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/20/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 04/15/2026 | House | House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 03/31/2026 | House | House Committee on Health & Human Services Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only |
| 03/02/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
Prime Sponsor
Sponsor
| Effective Date | Chapter # | Title | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/01/2026 | 271 | Family Stability & Kinship Care |