Permanency Hearings for Foster Children

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on those states that have changed their statutes to require that permanency hearings for foster children be held earlier than required by federal law. GAO noted that: (1) 23 states require a permanency hearing to be held earlier than the federal 18-month requirement, with a majority of these states requiring it within 12 months; and (2) in 2 of the 23 states, the shorter time frame applies only to younger children.