SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1346

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Human Services & Corrections, March 29, 2001

Title:  An act relating to foreign children entering the United States for medical care.

Brief Description:  Exempting from child care regulations persons who place or care for children entering the United States for medical care.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Dickerson, Tokuda, Kenney, Kagi and Santos.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  3/22/01, 3/29/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Carlson, Franklin, Hewitt, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Long and Stevens.

Staff:  Edith Rice (786‑7444)

Background:  Agencies that arrange for, or directly provide, out-of-home care to children, expectant mothers or persons with developmental disabilities are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  Licensed entities include:  family day care providers and day care centers, group care facilities, crisis residential centers, and family foster homes.

Entities exempt from licensing for the provision of out-of-home placement include:  relatives of children, expectant mothers or persons with developmental disabilities, boarding schools, seasonal camps, and families who host international exchange students.

Organizations that bring international children to the United States temporarily for medical care, and the families who host these children, are not exempt from licensing under current statutes.

Summary of Bill:  Organizations that provide placement or similar services to international children who are in the United States on medical care visas are exempt from licensing by DSHS.

The host families for these children are also exempt from licensing.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The foster care licensing process is so lengthy it can delay or make impossible the medical treatment needed by foreign children brought to the U.S.

Testimony Against:  None

Testified:  Norman Colon, Healing the Children (pro).