SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5525

BYSenate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senators Craswell, Owen, Smith, Stratton and Amondson)

Regarding foster care.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 9, 1989; February 24, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5225 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Smith, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  March 16, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 15, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1988, The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was required to review the foster care rate system because of a reported shortage in foster care homes and a $9 million cost overrun for the biennium.

Foster care rates are determined by administrative rules.  There are three basic rates which increase according to the child's need for exceptional care.  Since many foster children formerly would have qualified for care in an institution or a juvenile detention facility, the number who are eligible for the higher rates has risen, which in part caused the budget crisis.

Under current law, the status of all dependent children who are removed from their home must be reviewed by a court every six months in an effort to provide a permanent plan for the child and ultimately to remove the child from dependency status.

DSHS currently offers training to foster parents in a curriculum called fosterparentscope.

Receiving homes are paid a retainer fee each month to guarantee availability of beds.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to establish a task force to determine the barriers to becoming a foster parent and to recommend legislative or administrative strategies to alleviate the barriers.  The eleven member task force is to consist of foster parents, DSHS staff, two legislators and a representative of a private foster care agency.  They are to report to the Legislature by January, 1990.

The department may not grant foster home licenses to homosexuals or persons who have a known and verified history of sexual misconduct with children.

Foster parents and agency staff may be notified that a child, under the age of 14, has tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease as long as the privacy provisions of Chapter 70.24 RCW (sexually transmitted diseases) are met.

DSHS is directed to establish a foster care structure which will take into account the foster parents' training, experience and level of participation in the child's case plan.  The department is to ensure that the rate structure is equitably applied.

Care providers may be consulted regarding the child's case plan.

A new six-month probationary license procedure for foster homes is established.  At the department's discretion the license may be extended for one additional six-month period.  The department may terminate the probationary license for any reason at any time.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Appointments by Legislature Required:     The chairman of the Senate Committee on Children and Family Services; the chairman of the House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee - Testified: John Weeden, DSHS Foster Care Program Manager; Don Knapp, President, Foster Parents Association of Washington; Billie Wright, citizen (pro); Neal Gardenhire, BFA (pro); Scott Staley, Bill of Rights, Legal Foundation (pro); Howard Struve, citizen (pro); Gene and Vicki Lamb, citizens (pro); Katharine Briar, DCFS, DSHS