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Committee approves foster-care licensing reforms including Reasonable Prudent Parent standard; senator raises concern about firearms-storage rule
Summary
The committee approved foster-care licensing rule changes that implement the Reasonable Prudent Parent standard, lower minimum foster-parent age to 18 in some cases, create fast-track reapplication for former foster parents, and update safety accommodations; a senator expressed concern about firearms and ammunition-storage requirements.
The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved rule changes that revise foster-care licensing standards, including adoption of the Reasonable Prudent Parent standard and changes to age and application timeframes for foster parents.
Jared Larson explained the chapter repeal and replacement process and said the rules move away from an age-based limit toward a Reasonable Prudent Parent standard drawn from federal guidance. “This is all about setting that standard…so that the Department has the flexibility to place children with the right scenario that works for them,” Larson said. As part of the changes, the rule allows a foster applicant age of 18 in some circumstances where an older sibling or otherwise suitable adult placement is in a child’s best interest.
Other notable changes approved by the committee: reducing application processing timeframes for foster applications in some cases (from 30 days to 1 day in emergency processing), department-covered reasonable accommodations (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers), and a fast-track reapplication process for former foster parents who left in good standing within 12 months.
During discussion of the foster licensing rules, Senator Shippey asked whether a rule requiring weapons and ammunition to be stored separately, locked and inaccessible to children stemmed from statute or was a department rule. Julie Subcic, program manager for Child and Family Services, said the provision was part of the national model licensing standards included in the rule set. Senator Shippey expressed concern that the requirement to store weapons and ammunition separately could make it difficult for foster parents to access firearms quickly to defend a household in an emergency. He suggested an alternative allowing a secure safe that only the foster parent can access. Larson said the department would be “more than happy to work with you, through the interim on this and help…come up with appropriate language.”
Senators moved and approved the foster licensing dockets on voice votes; Governor-appointed Director Adams and department staff were credited with prioritizing the changes.
