SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1053

                             AS OF MARCH 25, 1991

Brief Description:  Concerning foster family home licenses.

SPONSORS:Representatives Leonard, Winsley, Riley and Basich; by request of Dept. of Social and Health Services.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (786‑7190)

Hearing Dates:March 27, 1991

BACKGROUND:

RCW 74.15.110 requires that requests for renewal of child care agency and foster family home licenses be filed no later than 90 days prior to the expiration date of the license.

However, the department frequently receives and processes otherwise acceptable applications for renewal within a shorter time frame than the statutory 90 days, in order to facilitate retention capability for qualified homes.

Federal auditors, in a recent review of foster family care, questioned the validity of accepting applications for renewal that are received less than 90 days prior to expiration of the original license.

SUMMARY:

Additional statutory flexibility in accepting applications for renewal is provided, by extending the time to file until the expiration of the license.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested