SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1858

     AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES,

                        MARCH 29, 1993

Brief Description:  Providing for periodic case review for children in substitute care.

SPONSORS: Representatives Brown, Romero, Foreman, Leonard, Lemmon, Mielke, Karahalios, Brough, Long, Kessler, Patterson and Mastin

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Erwin, Franklin, Fraser, Hargrove, McAuliffe, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Prentice, Quigley, L. Smith, and Winsley.

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786‑7461)

Hearing Dates: March 25, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Citizen boards operating in certain counties are authorized to review the cases of children in foster care in counties designated by the Office of Administrator for the Courts.  The citizen review boards review the case plan for each foster child assigned to it by the court.  The reviews take place at 90 days, six months, and one year of foster care placement.  After 18 months in placement, a permanency planning hearing is held.  The citizen review board continues to review the case every six months until the child leaves foster care placement, or a guardianship or adoption decree is entered.

SUMMARY:

The reviews by the citizen review board will be limited to the first hearing within 90 days of placement, the second hearing within six months of placement, and the third hearing within one year of placement in foster care.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

In addition to the other provisions of the bill, the department is directed to:  (1) develop guidelines for identifying children in need of long-term care or assistance; (2) develop programs necessary for the long-term care of children; (3) evaluate all children currently within the foster care caseload to identify children in need of long-term care; (4) study and develop a plan for the coordination of long-term care services between the department's divisions and other agencies; (5) study and develop guidelines for transitional services; and (6) develop a statutory proposal for the emancipation of minors.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Citizen foster care review boards are a cost-effective alternative to court reviews; however, research shows that the reviews are not as effective after the child has been in out-of-home care for more than one year.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Reviews are still effective after one year and should be continued.

TESTIFIED:  Rep. Lisa Brown (prime sponsor); Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society (pro); Marie Jack, National Assn. of Foster Care Reviewers