HOWARD. New Act Creates the African American Heritage Child Welfare Act. Provides that a child welfare agency or a court shall ensure that an African American child's best interest is met by giving due consideration to the African American child's race, culture, and ethnic heritage in making a foster family or adoptive home placement, and in placements in juvenile court and guardianship cases. Provides that preference in placement shall be first with a relative or relatives, second, with an African American family, and third, with a family of a different racial, cultural, and ethnic heritage that is knowledgeable and appreciative of the African American child's racial, cultural, and ethnic heritage, and has on-going contact with people in the African American community. Makes provision for the keeping of records, recruiting foster and adoptive families, and rule-making. FISCAL NOTE (Department of Children and Family Services) There would be federal penalties which would ultimately lead to loss of federal funding for DCFS services. 99-02-18 H FIRST READING 99-02-18 H REFERRED TO HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE RULES 99-02-24 H ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE JUD-CIVIL LAW 99-03-05 H RE-REFERRED TO RULES COMM/RULE 19(A) RULES HRUL 99-03-11 H FISCAL NOTE FILED 99-03-11 H COMMITTEE RULES 01-01-09 H SESSION SINE DIE END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Summary