Knesset Committee Approves Major Reforms to Foster Care Law Removing Age Limits and Reducing Medication Bureaucracy

The Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee, chaired by MK Michal Waldiger, approved significant amendments to the foster care law on Thursday, removing the age limit for foster parents and easing bureaucratic hurdles related to psychiatric and neurological medication for foster children. The updated bill eliminates the previous age restrictions on foster parents entirely, replacing an initial proposal that sought only to raise the age limit.

In addition to removing the age cap, the law now allows foster parents to authorize psychiatric medications for their foster children without requiring lengthy bureaucratic procedures or court involvement, which were previously mandatory even when prescribed by a specialist doctor. This change aims to shorten the time between prescription and treatment, which foster parents testified could currently take up to a year.

MK Waldiger praised the legislation, emphasizing that it prioritizes the child's welfare by enabling foster parents to administer necessary medications promptly and without unnecessary legal delays. She described the reform as a significant advancement that will ease the burden on families and ensure timely medical care for foster children.