S-1334.2  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5835

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senators Stevens, Haugen, Zarelli, Wojahn, Thibaudeau, Rasmussen, Oke and Kohl‑Welles

Read first time 02/11/1999.  Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

Developing a respite care system for children and families.

    AN ACT Relating to foster parents; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The department of social and health services, in concert with community-based organizations, shall develop a plan for a comprehensive respite care system for children and families.  In developing the plan, the department shall assess the current system, review available research, evaluate program needs, and evaluate program models.  The comprehensive plan shall identify necessary and appropriate respite services for families with children who are in foster care, for adoptive families, and for kinship placement families.  The department shall submit the plan to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives no later than December 31, 1999.

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