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Committee hears bill to equalize Northstar kinship payments for children under 6; laid over
Summary
Representative Jennifer Hicks and advocates urged the committee to eliminate a lower payment rate for children under 6 in Northstar kinship and adoption assistance so relatives can more readily accept permanency. The committee laid House File 1276 over for further fiscal analysis.
The Children and Families Committee heard testimony supporting House File 1276, which would eliminate a reduced Northstar payment rate for children who reach permanency before age 6 and ensure relatives receive the same financial benefit regardless of the child's age.
Rep. Jennifer Hicks, the bill’s sponsor, described the proposal as a tool to help relatives "get to yes" when asked to provide permanent care for young children. "Many times family members are not planning on starting over or raising their grandchildren. This helps them be able to get to yes," Hicks said.
Multiple advocates, tribal liaisons and social workers testified that the…
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