H-1416              _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 949

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Lewis and Doty

Read first time 2/16/87 and referred to Committee on Human Services.

AN ACT Relating to foster care; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that placing children with severe or multiple disorders in foster care is often the best and the most cost-effective placement for these children.  Having experienced trained foster parents available to provide the care for these children will prevent more restrictive or costly group, institutional, or out-of-state placements.  A monthly stipend will help experienced foster parents to be available to provide the home care and often special training and attention these children need to grow and thrive.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The department may contract with foster parents licensed under this chapter and meeting the requirements adopted by the department by rule to be available for the care of severely or multiply disordered children.  The department may require the foster parents to receive up to one hundred hours of training, or the equivalent, in programs approved by the department.  The foster parent contracting with the department, in return for receiving a stipend, shall agree to be available to care for severely or multiply disordered children if in the decision of the foster parent and the caseworker, placement in the particular foster home would be appropriate.  Such stipends shall be in addition to moneys received under this chapter.  The department may also establish programs as necessary to support the foster parent in gaining the necessary training to meet the often unique needs of the children under their care.

          (2) As used in this chapter, severely or multiply disordered children are children with problems including but not limited to behavior disorders, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, or learning disabilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The sum of six million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the purposes of section 2 of this act and the stipends provided under section 2 of this act shall be set at one thousand dollars per month.