H-1247.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1667

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives McDonald, Kagi, Boldt, Tokuda, Ballasiotes and Dickerson

Read first time 03/01/1999.

Developing a plan for a comprehensive respite care system for children and families.

    AN ACT Relating to foster parents; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; 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, in concert with community-based organizations, shall develop a plan for a comprehensive respite care system for children and families.  In developing the plan, the department shall assess the current system, review available research, evaluate program needs, and evaluate program models.  The comprehensive plan shall identify necessary and appropriate respite services for families with children who are in foster care, for adoptive families, for kinship placement families, and for families that have children with alcohol or drug problems.  The department shall submit the plan to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 31, 1999.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The sum of seventy thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, to carry out the purposes of section 2 of this act.

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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