Committee approves bill directing CYFD to issue standardized foster-parent ID cards

Representative Reeb sponsored House Bill 341, asking the committee to require the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to issue consistent, portable identification cards to licensed foster parents. Supporters said the cards would make it easier for caregivers to access state benefits such as free state-park entry, fishing licenses, museum access and to validate their status with schools and other agencies.

“Currently, CYFD issues licenses that are standard paper size. They also if we ask them multiple times, this is for my foster parents, will issue a little card that is more portable, but you have to know about them to ask for them,” the sponsor said, explaining the bill would standardize and require issuance of a practical ID card for all licensed foster parents.

Speakers from advocacy and kinship communities supported the measure and urged inclusion of kinship guardians, safety monitors and photo IDs. Anne McKinney, a child-welfare advocate, and Jeremy Martinez, a kinship guardian, both told the committee standard IDs would ease access to services and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. CYFD Secretary Theresa Casados told the committee the department supports the bill and has tested access to parks and museums; the department also requested an appropriation for plastic, photo-bearing cards and said some local offices already issue small paper cards inconsistently.

Committee members asked whether the card would include an expiration date tied to the foster-parent license and whether photos would be required; CYFD said a card with a photo and an expiration date tied to licensing renewal was the department’s preferred model and would be feasible if funding was appropriated. The sponsor said the bill intentionally left the card design to CYFD rulemaking so the department could implement a format that fits its licensing cycle; the sponsor was open to adding statutory language on photos and expiration dates if the department preferred.

The committee approved the bill for a due pass. CYFD said it would request an appropriation to produce laminated photo cards and recommended automatic issuance on license renewal to avoid outdated cards circulating.

Ending: The sponsor and CYFD agreed to work on implementation details and funding; CYFD requested an appropriation to produce durable, photo-bearing cards that expire with the foster-parent license.