FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2440

C 106 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning host home programs for youth.

Sponsors: House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Smith, McBride, Hargrove, McCaslin, Dent, Clibborn, Walsh, Walkinshaw, Scott, Sawyer, Ortiz-Self, Caldier, Hudgins, Senn, Robinson, Ormsby, Cody, Jinkins, Fey, Zeiger, Frame, Kilduff, Bergquist and Goodman).

House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services

Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

Background:

Foster Care Licensing.

Any person, group, or facility that receives children for control, care, or maintenance outside their own homes or that places, arranges the placement of, or assists in the placement of children must have a license with the Division of Licensed Resources (DLR), a division within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Children's Administration. There are exceptions to this licensing requirement including:

• certain relatives;

• adoptive parents and guardians;

• situations where parents agree to out-of-home placement and the placement is not receiving state payment for the placement;

• exchange students;

• children entering the country with visas meeting the criteria for medical care;

• certain schools;

• certain hospitals;

• licensed physicians or lawyers;

• certain training centers for individuals with developmental disabilities;

• certain agencies in operation prior to 1957 not receiving governmental assistance;

• certain persons approved for placement by a court;

• certain agencies operated by governmental entities or Indian tribes;

• certain security programs for juvenile offenders; and

• agencies located on a federal military reservation.

In addition to applying for a foster license through the DLR, an individual may apply for a foster license through a Child Placing Agency (CPA) that has been licensed by the DLR to supervise foster homes. These CPAs may certify to the DLR that an individual meets the licensing requirements. The DLR has the final approval for licensing an individual who is certified by a CPA.

To be considered for a foster care license, an applicant must:

• be at least 21 years of age;

• have sufficient income to support themselves without relying on foster care payment;

• discipline children in a positive manner without the use of physical punishment;

• provide supervision appropriate to the age or specific behavior of the child as outlined by the social worker; and

• complete first aid/CPR training, blood-borne pathogens training, licensing orientation, and preservice training.

Any adult living in a potential foster home must:

• complete a criminal background check with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Washington State Patrol (WSP);

• complete a child abuse and neglect registry check from each state they lived in over the past five years; and

• submit tuberculosis tests dated within the last year.

Youth ages 16 to 18 years old in the household must complete a WSP check. A DLR licensor will also assess an applicant's ability to provide a safe home and to provide the quality of care needed by children placed in the home.

All licensed family foster homes are required to complete the following ongoing training:

• 36 hours during their first three-year licensing period;

• 30 hours during their second three-year licensing period; and

• 24 hours during all subsequent three-year licensing periods.

Host Homes.

Host home programs recruit and train families to provide temporary homes to youth or families in crisis.  These host homes and host home programs have not been licensed by the DLR.  Host home programs for youth in Washington include Ryan's House for Youth, Olive Crest, the Mason County HOST Program, and Tacoma Shared Housing Services.

Summary:

Host home programs are exempt from licensing that:

• do not serve children in the care and custody of the DSHS;

• are operated by a tax-exempt organization that recruits and screens potential host homes;

• perform background checks on individuals over age 18 residing in the homes through the WSP or equivalent law enforcement agency, and perform physical inspections of the homes;

• screen and provide case management services to youth in the program;

• obtain written and notarized permission or limited power of attorney from the parent or legal guardian of the youth authorizing the youth to participate in the program;

• provide mandatory reporter and confidentiality training to host home program staff;

• obtain insurance for the program; and

• register with the Secretary of State.

Host home programs may not receive over $100,000 in public funding. If a host home program receives public funding, that program must report certain information to the Department of Commerce. Individual host homes may not receive any public funding.

By July 1, 2017, the Department of Commerce must provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature that includes recommendations and best practices for host home programs.

Votes on Final Passage: