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Committee sends bill tightening oversight of congregate foster placements to the floor
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1035 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; the bill would require the director of the Department of Health and Welfare to review placements in unlicensed congregate care every 14 days and assess safety, treatment and discharge planning.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1035 to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation. Sponsor Senator Maryanne Wintrow (Senator Wintrow) described the bill as a follow-up to reforms enacted in 2024 aimed at restricting unsafe congregate care placements and ensuring children receive appropriate treatment.
"The bill builds on the reforms that we passed last year, to help ensure that licensed facilities are able to meet the needs of foster children," Senator Wintrow said. She told the committee that after 2024 reforms there were no children placed in short‑term rentals such as Airbnbs, a target outcome of last year's legislation, and that SB 1035 would clarify the director's role in reviewing and approving placements for foster children in congregate settings.
Key provisions explained by the sponsor include a requirement that for a child placed in an unlicensed group care setting — including short‑term rentals — the director shall review the placement every 14 days. The director's review must assess "the child's safety, treatment needs, facility services, treatment plan, overall progress, discharge plan, and progress toward discharge," and the director must approve the placement if it meets the child's needs or find a new appropriate placement if not.
Craig Anderson, owner and operator of Hinge Point Youth Homes, testified he helped draft the revised language and described a collaborative process with the Department of Health and Welfare and providers. "The language that is before you was unanimously agreed to by the providers that were involved by the department, as well as other organizations," Anderson said, and he urged continued collaboration.
Bridal Shipley of Hailey testified in support on behalf of herself, emphasizing the needs of youth who have experienced trauma and the value of timely assessments and community‑based supports.
Committee members asked whether the 14‑day review requirement would create staffing strain for the department. Senator Zieterfeld asked whether the requirement could force new hires; Senator Wintrow said the department has handled the workload created by the 2024 law without hiring additional staff at the director level, and that the bill aims to avoid pulling treatment staff away from direct care to complete administrative reviews.
Senator Blaylock moved to send Senate Bill 1035 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; Senator Burkey seconded. The committee voice‑voted in favor.
If enacted as drafted, SB 1035 would maintain limits on unregulated congregate care while formalizing 14‑day reviews by the director of the Department of Health and Welfare and specifying review criteria to protect children's safety and treatment continuity.
