South Carolina DSS updates adoption regulations to enhance child safety and well-being

The South Carolina Senate Family and Veterans' Services Committee convened on March 20, 2025, to discuss significant regulatory updates aimed at enhancing the state's child welfare system. A key focus of the meeting was the proposed amendments to regulations governing adoption investigators and foster care agencies, which have not been reviewed in decades.

Conley Ann Ragley, Chief of External Affairs for the Department of Social Services, presented the proposed changes, emphasizing the need for updated qualifications for adoption investigators. The amendments aim to ensure that these professionals possess relevant educational backgrounds in human services, rather than unrelated fields. Additionally, the proposal includes mandatory fingerprint background checks and child abuse registry checks for those involved in the adoption process, reinforcing the commitment to child safety.

Another major regulation discussed was the licensure of agencies that care for children. This proposal seeks to align the regulations for child placing agencies with those for foster care providers, ensuring consistency across the board. Ragley highlighted that these updates are crucial for streamlining operations and improving the overall effectiveness of the child welfare system.

The committee also addressed the appeal rights of foster parents regarding adverse decisions related to foster care placements. The proposed amendments would allow foster parents to appeal placement changes, particularly if a child has been in their care for less than 12 months. This change aims to provide a fairer process for foster families, ensuring they have a voice in decisions that affect their placements.

The committee unanimously voted to forward these proposals to the full Senate for further consideration, marking a significant step towards modernizing South Carolina's child welfare regulations. The anticipated outcomes of these changes include improved safety for children in foster care and a more equitable system for families involved in the adoption process.