FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2785

C 51 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Providing the list of foster parent rights and responsibilities to prospective and current foster parents.

Sponsors: Representatives Dent, Senn, McCaslin, Kagi, Goodman, Klippert, Lovick, Eslick, Griffey, Caldier, Reeves, Hargrove, Valdez, Frame and Steele.

House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Background:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created in 2017. The stated intent of the agency is to improve the delivery of government services relating to early learning, child welfare, and juvenile justice by consolidating the administration of these services into the same agency.

On July 1, 2018, the functions performed by the Department of Early Learning are transferred to the DCYF. These functions include the administration of a variety of programs relating to early child care and education.

On July 1, 2018, the child welfare functions of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are transferred to the DCYF. These include functions pertaining to adoption, child abuse intervention, foster care, and other services.

On July 1, 2019, the juvenile justice functions of the DSHS Juvenile Rehabilitation division are transferred from the DSHS to the DCYF. These include the administration of juvenile rehabilitation facilities, vocational programs, and community reentry and parole services.

Beginning on July 1, 2018, the DCYF must:

• lead ongoing collaborative work to minimize or eliminate systemic barriers to effective, integrated services in collaboration with state agencies serving children, youth, and families;

• identify necessary improvements and updates to statutes relevant to their responsibilities and propose legislative changes to the Governor no less than biennially;

• help create a data-focused environment in which there are aligned outcomes and shared accountability for achieving those outcomes;

• lead the provision of state services to adolescents, focusing on key transition points for youth; and

• create and annually update a list of the rights and responsibilities of foster parents in partnership with foster parent representatives. The list of foster parent rights and responsibilities must be posted on the department's website and provided to foster parents in writing at the time of licensure.

Summary:

The requirement that the DCYF provide foster parents with a list of foster parent rights and responsibilities on the DCYF website and in writing at the time of licensure is modified to also require the list be provided to foster parents at orientation before licensure and at license renewal.

Votes on Final Passage: