FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5431

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

C 482 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding placement of a child returning to out-of-home care.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Stevens, Hargrove, Regala, McAuliffe, Carrell, Brandland and King).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services

Background: A number of children who have been in foster care and return home must return to foster care for many reasons. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) tries to place the child in an appropriate foster home which is sometimes not a relative nor a foster home in which the child had been previously placed.

Summary: Placement of a child with a relative or another suitable person is the preferred option when a child must be placed in out of home care in a dependency matter.

If a child has been previously placed in out of home care and is subsequently returned to out of home care and DSHS cannot locate an appropriate and available relative or other suitable person, the preferred placement for the child is in a foster home where the child was previously placed if the foster home is available and willing to care for the child, the foster family is appropriate and able to meet the child's needs, and placement is in the child's best interest.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

48

0

House

98

0

(House amended)

Senate

House

95

0

(Senate refused to concur)

(House amended)

Senate

48

0

(Senate concurred)

Effective:

July 26, 2009