Bill would extend foster-care supports beyond age 21 and allow separate licensing standards for relatives

Representative Alana Rubell (District 18) presented RS 32,364 addressing two changes to foster-care policy: extending services past age 21 and allowing different licensing standards for relatives who provide foster care.

"Currently, we terminate foster care services at age 21," Rubell said, adding that young adults who age out of care often face poor outcomes and that extending access has data showing better results. She told the committee the other provision would allow the Department of Health and Welfare to establish separate licensing standards for relatives versus nonrelatives, noting that relatives who already care for the child may not need the same physical requirements as other foster homes.

Representative Erickson moved to introduce the RS and Representative Wheeler and others asked for a fuller hearing. Rubell said she and cosponsors had previously moved the cutoff from 18 to 21 and that the department had provided information and indicated support for separate standards. Committee members asked for more detail at a full hearing, including how the department would implement separate standards and the fiscal impacts of extending services.

The motion to introduce RS 32,364 passed by voice vote. The transcript records the sponsor noting supporting data about outcomes tied to extending foster-care services; no fiscal note or statutory text was read during the introduction.