H-2326.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1668

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives McDonald, Kagi, Boldt, Tokuda, Dickerson and Santos)

Read first time 03/08/1999.

Providing foster parents with first aid/CPR and HIV/AIDS training.

    AN ACT Relating to foster parents; 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.  Foster parents are required to complete first aid/CPR and HIV/AIDS training to become licensed.  The department of social and health services may waive the first aid/CPR training if the foster parent has current certification or has professional background in this area.  The department may waive the HIV/AIDS training if the foster parent has completed HIV/AIDS training in the last five years or has professional or educational background in this area.  The cost of this mandatory training is a financial barrier for some people who consider becoming a foster parent.  The department of social and health services shall provide all new and current foster parents with first aid/CPR and HIV/AIDS training.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  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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