RELATING TO CHILD PROTECTION.

Requires the department of human services to make a good faith effort to locate, identify, and interview extended family members for possible foster custody placement of a child and to set forth the procedures used and steps taken in this regard in the dependency petition.

RELATING TO THE INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF KANAKA MAOLI.

Creates a Native Hawaiian Child Welfare Act preventing the involuntary termination of parental rights of Kanaka Maoli thus protecting the cultural and traditional rights of the Native Hawaiian people. This is also known as "The Kupuna Bill".

RELATING TO PLACEMENT OF HARMED CHILDREN.

Clarifies the importance of kinship placement for temporary foster placement and adoption; affirms the importance of the child's present attachment and bonding to present caregivers, whether kin or non-kin.

CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT.

Provides additional criteria for determining foster custodians. Appropriates funds for an evaluation of the State's temporary and permanent foster care system. Adds new definitions.

RELATING TO FOSTER CHILDREN.

Allows foster children to apply for a driver's license with the written consent of the Department of Human Services. Requires a foster child's natural parents to pay for the child's car insurance and provides for free insurance if the child's parents are unable to pay. Allows higher education board allowances to be paid directly to former foster children.

RELATING TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.

Appropriates various amounts, including unspecified amounts, for various services to be funded from the increased federal fund ceiling for the temporary assistance for needy families program.

RELATING TO THE AT-HOME INFANT CARE PROGRAM.

Allows qualifying TANF recipients to act as full-time at-home caregivers for children under two years of age and to receive 90-100 per cent of the childcare subsidy the State would otherwise pay for the childcare services.