HB 1602 - DIGEST

     Declares that the health, safety, and well-being of children is paramount over the right of any person to provide care.

     Establishes fingerprinting requirements and procedures to determine the suitability of the applicant to provide care.

     Declares that the department's decision in any adjudicative proceeding regarding the denial or revocation of a foster family license shall be upheld if based upon reasonable factors.

     Authorizes civil monetary penalties for violations of the act.

     Prohibits administrative law judges from presiding over a hearing without completing a training course to gain the expertise required to appropriately review licensing decisions.