AN ACT relating to child welfare.

This bill amends Kentucky's child welfare laws to update gender-neutral language in statutes governing children in out-of-home care. The primary change involves revising KRS 620.180 to ensure all references to children and parents use inclusive terminology that does not specify gender. The bill does not introduce new policies or procedures but focuses on modernizing existing legal text to reflect contemporary standards of inclusivity. This legislative update directly affects the Department for Community Based Services and all children currently or potentially entering the foster care system in Kentucky. The amendment aims to eliminate outdated language while maintaining the same operational requirements for child welfare case management and permanency planning.