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Committee clears DHS cleanup bills to align foster‑care eligibility and allow limited info release to foster parents
Summary
Two House bills that align state foster‑care language with federal rules (HB 1358) and allow limited release of prior placement information to foster parents for legitimate needs such as tax filing (HB 1359) passed the committee after agency testimony; sponsors reported no opposition.
Kristen Harper of the Division of Children and Family Services told the committee that House Bill 1358 is largely a technical clean‑up that aligns state statute with federal rules governing extended foster care eligibility (ages 18–21) and corrects an erroneous agency referral so youth with limited capacity are referred to the Office of Public Guardian rather than Adult Protective Services.
Harper said HB 1359 would allow the department to release limited information about children previously placed in a foster home to foster parents who have a legitimate need — for example, for tax filing — and that agency staff would determine whether the need is legitimate. She told the committee stakeholders were consulted and that no one registered opposition.
Committee members asked about safeguards and scope; Harper said the release is limited and that agency foster care managers would review requests. The committee adopted motions and advanced both bills on voice votes.
