Senate panel advances bill to extend foster‑care supports from 21 to 23 and ease relative licensing

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 245 to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation after hearing department staff, foster‑care alumni and advocacy groups describe the proposal as a low‑cost intervention that lengthens the transition period available to young people leaving foster care.

Senator Carl Bjerke (R‑District 5) introduced the measure, which would extend eligibility for voluntary foster‑care supports from age 21 to 23 and streamline the department's ability to place a youth with relatives by expediting licensing or granting limited waivers of certain licensing standards. "Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections 1 of this section, the department may expedite placement with a relative, issue a foster care license, and grant a limited variance or waiver of a licensing standard requirement," the…