BILL REQ. #:  S-1139.1 

Read first time 01/28/09.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to public access to information about foster parents; and adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department must maintain for public review upon request the following information regarding licensed foster parents and foster parents who wish to adopt:
     (a) General residence area listed by region and local jurisdiction;
     (b) Any record of misdemeanor or felony convictions;
     (c) Current employment and employment history with salary range;
     (d) Educational attainment;
     (e) Marital or domestic partnership history to include number of unions and current status;
     (f) Number of adults living in the foster home and relationship to the foster parent;
     (g) Number and ages of children living in the home at the time of placement, to be updated every six months;
     (h) The race or cultural background of the foster child or children as compared with the foster parents or foster parents who wish to adopt and any other person or persons residing in the home.
     (2) The information must be displayed individually based upon case number.
     (3) The department shall also include the amount of federal and state money spent on each child, including medical care costs, during the child's out-of-home placement.
     (4) The information must not include the names of the foster child or of the foster parents or foster parents who wish to adopt.
     (5) The department must update this information on a semiannual basis.