House Bill 279 would expand power of attorney and caretaker authority to include relatives in addition to grandparents. The Bill expands the class of people who may execute a Caretaker Authorization Affidavit, or who is eligible to be an Attorney-in-fact under a Power of Attorney for child care, custody and control.

When a custodial parent is unable to care for their child the new law expands the use of the Power of Attorney from only grandparents to any other family caregiver.

The new law would give a kin caregiver rights and responsibility regarding the care, custody and control of the child. This would include the ability to enroll the child in school, obtain education and behavioral information, consent to school matters, and medical treatment of the child.

Essentially this Bill expands the use of caretaker from only grandparents to qualified relatives, i.e. relatives related by blood or marriage, and enhances Ohio’s policies regarding kinship caregivers.

To see House Bill 279 As Introduced, cut and paste the following link to your browser: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_279.

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