HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5343

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                 Children & Family Services

Title:  An act relating to the education of foster children.

Brief Description:  Requiring that school information be included in the passport provided to foster parents.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Shin, Kohl‑Welles, Costa, Thibaudeau and Gardner.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Children & Family Services:  3/29/99, 3/31/99 [DPA].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

            (As Amended by House Committee)

$Schools will provide the Department of Social and Health Services with education information for inclusion in foster child passports as quickly as possible.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  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:

Current law requires that a passport is provided to foster parents including information about the foster child.  The passport must include information on the educational status of the foster child, but does not define what is meant by educational status.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Schools will provide the Department of Social and Health Services with education information for inclusion in foster child passports as quickly as possible.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The education information included in the foster child passport is identified in greater detail.  The requirement that schools provide the needed information is clarified.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Some schools have been reluctant to provide education information to the Department of Social and Health Services for inclusion in foster child passports.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (In support)  Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society.

(In support with amendments)  Richard Peet, Foster Parents Association of Washington State.