SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5422

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Granting rights to foster parents.

SPONSORS:Senators Talmadge, Nelson, Stratton, Roach and von Reichbauer.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Hearing Dates:February 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

In the eyes of the law, foster parents are not considered to have sufficient connection to dependency proceedings and therefore they are not allowed to participate.  In dependency cases, they cannot be represented by an attorney and the judge will not consider their objectives.  They can be called to testify by the natural parents or the guardian ad litem but they cannot initiate such action themselves.  Often foster parents feel that they possess critical information about the child at issue in the dependency proceeding, yet they are unable to voice this information to the court and their own interests are not considered.

SUMMARY:

After a child has been living in a foster family home for a period of six months, the foster parents acquire the right to be a party to the dependency action pertaining to the child.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available