HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1608

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to foster parents.

Brief Description:  Providing additional services to foster parents.

Sponsors:  Representatives Riley, Leonard, Thibaudeau, Brough, Jacobsen, Kremen, J. Kohl and Anderson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 25, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Karahalios; Lisk; Padden; Patterson; Thibaudeau; and Wolfe.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background: Many foster parents stop caring for foster children each year because of inadequate support services, low reimbursement rates, or allegations of child abuse.  The Department of Social and Health Services is required by statute to monitor foster homes on a random sample basis.  The department is not performing this required monitoring.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Social and Health Services will contract with a non-profit organization to provide support services for foster parents accused of child abuse or neglect.  The department can conduct statutorily required monitoring of foster homes directly or by contract with a statewide nonprofit organization.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Appropriation: If this legislation is not referenced in the biennial operating act, this legislation will be null and void.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Department of Social and Health Services is not performing statutorily required activities related to foster parents.  If the department subcontracted with a nonprofit organization, perhaps the statutory mandates would be fulfilled.  Foster parents accused of child abuse need nonjudgmental support which is not currently available.

Testimony Against: None.

Witnesses: Darlene Flowers, Foster Parents of Washington State; and Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society.