SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5525

BYSenators Craswell, Owen, Smith, Stratton and Amondson

Regarding foster care.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 9, 1989; February 24, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5225 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Smith, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 27, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 24, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1988, The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was required to review the foster care rate system.  They reported a shortage in foster care homes and a $9 million cost overrun for the biennium.

Foster care rates are determined by administrative rules.  There are three basic rates which increase according to the child's need for exceptional care.  Since many foster children formerly would have qualified for care in an institution or a juvenile detention facility, the number who are eligible for the higher rates has risen, which in part caused the budget crisis.

Under current law, the status of all dependent children who are removed from their home must be reviewed by a court every six months in an effort to provide a permanent plan for the child and ultimately to remove the child from dependency status.

DSHS currently offers training to foster parents in a curriculum called fosterparentscope.

Receiving homes are paid a retainer fee each month to guarantee availability of beds.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to establish a task force to determine the barriers to becoming a foster parent and to recommend legislative or administrative strategies to alleviate the barriers.  The eleven member task force is to consist of foster parents, DSHS staff, two legislators and a representative of a private foster care agency.  They are to report to the Legislature by January, 1990.

A system of foster care reimbursement is placed in statute.  The system sets three specific rates and describes the type of child qualifying for each rate.

The department is required to develop and produce training and continuing education.

DSHS is no longer allowed to pay an automatic monthly retainer to receiving homes, but is allowed to pay a fee for specific types of care.

The department may not grant foster parent licenses to persons who are homosexuals.

Before placing a child in a foster home, the department must notify the foster parents that the child has tested positively for any sexually transmitted disease.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department may not grant foster home licenses to homosexuals or persons who have a known and verified history of sexual misconduct with children.

DSHS is allowed to notify appropriate foster parents and caseworkers that a child, under the age of 14, has tested positive for any sexually transmitted disease as long as the privacy provisions of Chapter 70.24 RCW (sexually transmitted diseases) are met.

DSHS is directed to establish a foster care structure which will take into account the foster parents' training, experience and level of participation in the child's case plan.  The department is to ensure that the rate structure is equitably applied.

The department is allowed to consult with care providers regarding the child's case plan.

A new six-month probationary license procedure for foster homes is established.  At the department's discretion the license may be extended for one additional six-month period.  The department may terminate the probationary license for any reason at any time.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Appointments by Legislature Required:     The chairman of the Senate Committee on Children and Family Services; the chairman of the House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee - Testified: John Weeden, DSHS Foster Care Program Manager; Don Knapp, President, Foster Parents Association of Washington (pro); Billie Wright, citizen (pro); Neal Gardenhire, BFA (pro); Scott Staley, Bill of Rights, Legal Foundation (pro); Howard Struve, citizen (pro); Gene and Vicki Lamb, citizens (pro); Katharine Briar, DCFS, DSHS