SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2785
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of February 22, 2018
Title: An act relating to providing the list of foster parent rights and responsibilities to prospective and current foster parents.
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.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/18, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/21/18.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS |
Staff: Kevin Black (786-7747)
Background: DCYF was created in 2017 for the stated purpose of improving 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 and the child welfare functions of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are transferred to DCYF. These include the administration of a variety of programs relating to early child care and education and functions pertaining to adoption, child emancipation, child abuse intervention, foster care, and other services. On July 1, 2019, the juvenile justice functions of the DSHS Juvenile Rehabilitation division are transferred to DCYF. These include the administration of juvenile rehabilitation facilities, vocational industries programs, and community reentry and parole services.
The legislation that created DCYF specifies a number of additional responsibilities for DCYF to carry out beginning on July 1, 2018. For example, DCYF must:
lead ongoing collaborative work to minimize or eliminate systemic barriers to effective, integrated services in collaboration with other state agencies;
identify necessary improvements and updates to statutes related to DCYF responsibilities;
help create a data-focused environment in which there are aligned outcomes and shared accountability for achieving those outcomes; and
lead the provision of state services to adolescents, focusing on key transition points for youth.
DCYF must create and annually update a list of the rights and responsibilities of foster parents in partnership with foster parent representatives beginning July 1, 2018. This list must be posted on the DCYF website and provided to foster parents at the time of licensure.
Summary of Bill: DCYF must provide its list of foster parent rights and responsibilities beginning July 1, 2018, to individuals participating in a foster parent orientation and to foster parents applying for license renewal.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill idea came about when I was researching a foster parent bill of rights which a constituent drafted and discovered that most of these rights were already in statute, but no one knows about them. I would probably still be a foster parent if I had known about these rights. It's important for the state to foster a good relationship with its foster parents. Foster families across the state are excited about the impact of this law. Other states have a foster parent bill of rights, so this will bring us in line with their practices.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Tom Dent, Prime Sponsor; Shannon Love, Fostering Change Washington.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.