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Senate committee backs voluntary extension of foster‑care support to age 23
Summary
House Bill 2 45, which would extend voluntary foster‑care services from age 21 to 23 and streamline relative‑placement licensing, was sent to the Senate floor with a do‑pass recommendation after testimony from foster youth, child‑welfare advocates and the Department of Health and Welfare.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 2 45 to the Senate floor with a do‑pass recommendation after hours of testimony from foster youth, providers and department officials about extending voluntary foster‑care supports from age 21 to 23.
Senator Carl Bjerke (Senate District 5) opened the presentation for the bill, saying it would “extend[ ]” the age‑out date from 21 to 23 and “streamline the ability for kindred care.” He cited research and fiscal arguments during his remarks: “Research shows that extended foster care reduces food insecurity by 21%, homelessness by 19%, and arrest by 28%,” and he told the committee that “It costs about $80 a day in the corrections institutions and about $16 a day if we keep somebody in foster care.”
Departmen…
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