Sec. 7.3b. Case plan requirements for hair-related needs of youth in care.

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(a)Purposes. Hair plays an important role in fostering youths' connection to their race, culture, and identity. Hair care promotes positive messages of self-worth, comfort, and affection. Because these messages typically are developed through interactions with family and community members, it is necessary to establish a framework to ensure that youth in care are not deprived of these messages and that caregivers and appropriate child care facility staff are adequately prepared to provide culturally competent hair care for youth.

(b)Definitions. As used in this Section:

(1)"Hair care" means all care related to the maintenance of hair, including, but not

limited to, the daily maintenance routine, cutting, styling, or dying of hair.

(2)"Culture" means the norms, traditions, and experiences of a person's community that

inform that person's daily life and long-term goals.

(3)"Identity" means the memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create

one's sense of self. This amalgamation creates a steady sense of who one is over time, even as new facets are developed and incorporated into one's identity.

(c)Hair care plan. Every case plan shall include a hair care plan for each youth in care that is developed in consultation with the youth based upon the youth's developmental abilities, as well as with the youth's parents or caregivers or appropriate child care facility staff if not contrary to the youth's wishes, and that outlines any training or resources required by the caregiver or appropriate child care facility staff to meet the hair care needs of the youth. At a minimum, the hair care plan must address:

(1)necessary hair care steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to

the youth's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity;

(2)necessary steps to be taken specific to the youth's hair care needs during emergency

and health situations; and

(3)the desires of the youth as they pertain to the youth's hair care.

A youth's hair care plan must be reviewed at the same time as the case plan review required under Section 6a as well as during monthly visits to ensure compliance with the hair care plan and identify any needed changes.

(d)By June 1, 2025, the Department shall develop training and resources to make available for caregivers and appropriate child care facility staff to provide culturally competent hair care to youth in care.

(e)By June 1, 2025, the Department must adopt rules to facilitate the implementation of this Section.