BILL REQ. #:  Z-0013.1 

Prefiled 12/08/08. Read first time 01/12/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services.

     AN ACT Relating to foster parent licensing; and amending RCW 74.15.100.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 74.15.100 and 2006 c 265 s 403 are each amended to read as follows:
     Each agency shall make application for a license or renewal of license to the department of social and health services on forms prescribed by the department. A licensed agency having foster-family homes under its supervision may make application for a license on behalf of any such foster-family home. Such a foster home license shall cease to be valid when the home is no longer under the supervision of that agency. Upon receipt of such application, the department shall either grant or deny a license within ninety days unless the application is for licensure as a foster-family home, in which case RCW 74.15.040 shall govern. A license shall be granted if the agency meets the minimum requirements set forth in chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 and the departmental requirements consistent herewith, except that an initial license may be issued as provided in RCW 74.15.120. Licenses provided for in chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 shall be issued for a period of three years. The licensee, however, shall advise the secretary of any material change in circumstances which might constitute grounds for reclassification of license as to category. The license issued under this chapter is not transferable and applies only to the licensee ((and the)). The license shall be limited to a particular location which shall be stated ((in)) on the ((application)) license. For licensed foster-family homes having an acceptable history of child care, the license may remain in effect for ((two weeks)) thirty days after a move, except that this will apply only if the family remains intact. Licensees must notify their licensor before moving to a new location and may request a continuation of the license at the new location. At the request of the licensee, the department shall, within thirty days following a foster-family home licensee's move to a new location, amend the license to reflect the new location, provided the new location and the licensee meet minimum licensing standards.