Governor Perdue Signs Foster Care Bill of Rights

ATLANTA , GA - Joined by foster parents and children at the State Capitol, Governor Sonny Perdue today signed into law the Foster Parents Bill of Rights, House Bill 1580. First Lady Mary Perdue joined the Governor to proclaim May as Foster Care Month in Georgia.

"If we entrust foster parents with our children, we should empower them with the information and tools they need to care for them," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "The Foster Parents' Bill of Rights outlines ground rules for a healthy partnership with foster parents."

Foster parents are volunteers providing for children in state care. They play an integral, indispensable, and vital role in Georgia 's efforts to care for children displaced from their homes. The purpose of the Foster Care Bill of Rights is to acknowledge foster parents for their work and to support them by defining better ground rules for a healthy partnership with the state.

The complete text of the Foster Care Bill of Rights can be found at http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/fulltext/hb1580.htm .