H-1246.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1666
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 Regular Session
By Representatives McDonald, Kagi, Boldt, Tokuda, Dickerson, Clements, Santos and Mitchell
Read first time 02/02/1999. Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.
AN ACT Relating to foster parents; creating new sections; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that Washington state is experiencing a significant shortage of quality foster homes and that the majority of children entering the system are difficult to place due to their complex needs. The legislature intends to provide additional assistance to those families willing to serve as foster parents.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The United States department of agriculture issued a report that shows the current foster parent reimbursement rate of four hundred nine dollars per month per child represents forty-three percent of the actual cost of providing such care. The department of social and health services shall increase the basic reimbursement rate for foster children by three dollars per child per day. The department shall also annually review how the basic foster care rates meet the need for providing such care.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The sum of fifteen million three hundred thirty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, to carry out the purposes of section 2 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1999.
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