Bill in Maine for certain foster families to exceed child limit in legislature

[Borealis]

http://www.wabi.tv/content/news/Bill-allowing-certain-family-foster-homes-to-exceed-child-limit-advances-to-legislature-477556533.html

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - A family is limited to six children when caring for foster kids in Maine, which includes the family's legal children. A bill to allow certain families to exceed that limit now heads to the legislature.

The state's Committee on Health & Human Services voted Wednesday to send the legislation to the House and Senate. Senator Troy Jackson's bill came in response to a family with five biological children and one foster child who tried to care for another foster child, but was denied.

The child had lived there before and the department agreed that the home was a good fit but couldn't let the family take the child in because of the limit.
"In cases that the department, the family, everyone feels that this is the best case, I just don't think a statute should stand in the way of making the best case for the child," said Sen. Jackson, (D).

The bill aims to keep foster siblings together as well as let a family foster home exceed the limit if the department determines it to be in the best interest of the child.

[EmperorScorpious]

If the family is capable for caring for more children, I don't see why they should be restricted.

[advancedlamb]

Because there are more people to consider than just one family?

[Ronin]

The logic and reasoning behind the decision is sound and very specific, I'd say it's a good decision, let loving families stay loving families.

The bill aims to keep foster siblings together as well as let a family foster home exceed the limit if the department determines it to be in the best interest of the child.

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As long as there are very tight restrictions to prevent foster child farms it sounds okay. It will need to be watched carefully though. But it should be okay if limited to keeping siblings together.