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Foster Care Bills Signed Into Law

Lizzie Chen, KUT News

Foster care children 16 and older could refuse psychotropic medication under a bill signed into law today by Gov. Rick Perry that more closely monitors the administration of those drugs to foster kids.

Another measure signed into law today will give court-appointed special advocates of foster kids online access to their case information.

Laura Wolf, who runs CASA of Travis County, a nonprofit that advocates for abused and neglected kids, says that is crucial for being able to recommend to a judge what’s best for the foster child.

“Child Protective Services case workers through no fault of their own are overworked, and so if we are able to have access to that information directly, then we are better able to perform the duties that the judges expect,” Wolf said.

Both bills had bipartisan support. They will become law in September.

Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion-dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on X @KUTnathan.
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