Consultation with provider of foster care to ensure health and safety of child; release of information to provider of foster care; confidentiality of information obtained; regulations

1. Before placing, and during the placement of, a child in a foster home, the licensing authority shall provide to the provider of foster care such information relating to the child as is necessary to ensure the health and safety of the child and the other residents of the foster home. This information must include the medical history and previous behavior of the child to the extent that such information is available. 2. The provider of foster care may, at any time before, during or after the placement of the child in the foster home, request information about the child from the licensing authority. After the child has left the care of the provider, the licensing authority shall provide the information requested by the provider, unless the information is otherwise declared to be confidential by law or the licensing authority determines that providing the information is not in the best interests of the child. 3. The provider of foster care shall maintain the confidentiality of information obtained pursuant to this section under the terms and conditions otherwise required by law. 4. The Division shall adopt regulations specifying the procedure and format for the provision of information pursuant to this section, which may include the provision of a summary of certain information. If a summary is provided pursuant to this section, the provider of foster care may also obtain the information set forth in subsections 1 and 2.