H-2328.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1619

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives McDonald, Kagi, Boldt, Lovick, Tokuda, Wood, Clements, Carrell, D. Schmidt, Linville, Dickerson, O'Brien, Mielke, Kenney and Haigh)

Read first time 03/08/1999.

Changing the liability insurance of foster parents.

    AN ACT Relating to foster parents; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature recognizes that Washington state is experiencing a significant shortage of quality foster homes and that the majority of children entering the system are difficult to place due to their complex needs.  The legislature intends to provide additional assistance to those families willing to serve as foster parents.

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

    The department of social and health services shall reimburse foster parents for property damaged or destroyed by foster children placed in their care.  The department shall establish by rule a maximum amount that may be reimbursed for each occurrence.  The department shall reimburse the foster parent for the replacement value of any property covered by this section.  If the damaged or destroyed property is covered and reimbursed under an insurance policy, the department shall reimburse foster parents for the amount of the deductible associated with the insurance claim.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 1999, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1999.

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