BY ANTHONY RIZZO
May is Foster Care Month and House Republicans have introduced a package of bills aimed at improving the foster care process and creating a more efficient adoption process in Michigan.
The bill establishes 23 different rights to improve the foster care process and to create a more efficient adoption process overall.
The rights would provide parents access to the history of children, such as health issues, neglect or abuse the child may have suffered.
Officials say having access to each child's past is critical for parents in creating a stable home environment for them.
Republican representative Kevin Cotter is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
"We have some great families across the state. I have spoken to many of them who have opened up their homes to be foster parents, to bring in children and raise them in a stable and loving home environment; something, otherwise, they would not have access to." Cotter said.
The legislation has been introduced and is awaiting assignment for a committee hearing.