HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1667
As Reported By House Committee On:
Children & Family Services
Title: An act relating to foster parents.
Brief Description: Developing a plan for a comprehensive respite care system for children and families.
Sponsors: Representatives McDonald, Kagi, Boldt, Tokuda, Ballasiotes and Dickerson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Children & Family Services: 2/11/99, 2/25/99 [DP].
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Brief Summary of Bill
$The Department of Social and Health Services will conduct a comprehensive study of respite care for children and families.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives D. Sommers, Republican Co-Chair; Tokuda, Democratic Co-Chair; Boldt, Republican Vice Chair; Kagi, Democratic Vice Chair; Campbell; Carrell; Dickerson; Eickmeyer; Kastama and Pflug.
Staff: David Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
The Department of Social and Health Services provides some respite care for foster parents who care for dependent children. Respite care is limited in scope and duration and is not available for all foster parents who request it.
Summary of Bill:
The Department of Social and Health Services will develop a plan for a comprehensive respite care system for children and families. The plan will be submitted to the appropriate committees of the Senate and House of Representatives by December 31, 1999.
Appropriation: The sum of $70,000.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1999.
Testimony For: A comprehensive look at respite care for children and families is long overdue. Foster parents and other persons caring for children need access to respite care.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: (In support) Representative Joyce McDonald (prime sponsor); Robert Ott, Foster Parents Association Board of Washington State; Darlene Flowers, Foster Parents Association of Washington State; Tina Davis; and Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society.