Amended SB 741 directs DHS to report on foster‑parent compensation rather than immediately increase payments

The House passed an amended Senate Bill 741 on third reading. Representative Sharf, floor sponsor, said the bill originally would have increased payments to resource (foster) parents based on a percentage of the USDA estimate of the cost to raise a child, but was amended because of significant projected fiscal shortfalls.

Representative Sharf said Oregon’s current foster‑care support payments had not been adjusted since 2018 and that the cost of living has increased. She described the original draft’s intent to use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s estimated cost to raise a child as a basis for rates and to include mileage reimbursement for appointments. However, because the fiscal analysis showed large shortfalls — as presented on the floor — the bill was narrowed to require the Department of Human Services to report to the Legislature every even year on compensation rates, number of homes, caseload capacity, payment methodology, comparisons to other states, and an estimate of sufficiency relative to the cost of raising a child.

Sharf said the amendment was intended to keep the discussion alive while acknowledging the budget realities: “Although the bill does not get at the intentions of the original bill, which was to properly compensate resource families, it is my hope that the information coming back to the legislature will at least continue to keep the conversation at the forefront.” The clerk declared SB 741 passed following the vote.