According to the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA), 16 states have a Foster Parent Bill of Rights or its equivalent. These states are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington. Here is a link to the
California Foster Parent Bill of Rights and also a link to California Regulations Pertaining to Foster Family Agencies (FFAs).
The text of each state’s legislation is available on NFPA’s website. In general, Foster Parent Bills of Rights affirm the dignity of foster parents, require that they be given notice regarding child placement decisions, allow them to participate in planning visitation with a child’s biological family, and give them priority consideration if adoption becomes an option. California law gives foster parents expansive rights, allowing them to make certain medical decisions on behalf of foster children. The NFPA has drafted a model bill that states may look to for guidance when creating a Foster Parent Bill of Rights.