SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1542

                     As of March 24, 1995

Title:  An act relating to placement of children.

Brief Description:  Modifying placement of juveniles, specifically addressing independent living.

Sponsors:  Representatives Brown, Cooke, Dickerson and Costa; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  3/29/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Dennis Martin (786-7403)

Background:  A court may determine that a child is dependent due to abuse or neglect, abandonment, incapability of a parent to care for the child.  The court may order the child removed from his or her home, and committed to the care and custody of the Department of Social and Health Services.

The agency responsible for providing services to the child shall submit a permanency plan to the court.  Permanency plan options currently include return of the child to the family home, adoption, guardianship, or long-term relative or foster care placement.  Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides for states to include independent living as a permanency plan option.  

Summary of Bill:  Independent living is added as an option that may be included in a permanency plan for children 16 years of age or older.  The plan must identify the services provided for the child's successful transition from foster care to independent living.

To approve an independent living option, a court must find that the transitional services allow the child to manage his or her own affairs.  The Department of Social and Health Services may not discharge a child under 18 years of age to independent living, unless the child becomes emancipated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.