SB 5480-S2 - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/13/02)

     Provides that, within existing resources, the department of social and health services shall convene a kinship caregivers working group subsequent to the release in June 2002 of the kinship caregivers study being conducted by the Washington state institute for public policy.

     Directs the kinship caregivers working group to: (1) Review the Washington state institute for public policy kinship caregivers study;

     (2) Develop a briefing for the legislature that identifies and prioritizes:

     (a) The policy issues to be considered in making kinship care a robust component of the out-of-home placements spectrum including consideration of a financial means test;

     (b) The federal and state statutes associated with these policy issues; and

     (c) Options for addressing these policy issues; and

     (3) Submit the briefing to the appropriate committees in the senate and house of representatives by November 1, 2002.