The bill would have allowed parents under hardship to delegate care-giving authority to grandparents for the care of their minor children. The authority would be delegated by creating a power of attorney, which would not require the approval of a court. The power of attorney would allow grandparents to perform several functions on behalf of their grandchildren, including enrolling the grandchildren in school, consenting to medical care, and providing food, lodging, housing, and recreation. The bill would have established a subsidy program that would allow grandparents who are below a certain poverty level to receive funds equivalent to 80% of the average state-wide foster care subsidy rate.
