Committee advances substitute to provide temporary kinship parent subsidy

The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee voted to report the committee substitute for Senate Bill 544 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass, and directed that the measure first be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Counsel explained the substitute would permit a temporary increase in kinship parent subsidy payable within 30 days for up to six months, require the placement to pass a background check and initial home screening to identify and correct life-safety issues, and require assignment of a child-placing agency to assist the kinship parent in obtaining foster parent certification. "In the original bill, the parent was assigned a child placing agency and the committee substitute the Department of Human Services will provide a list of available child placing agencies to the kinship parent to assist the kinship parent in obtaining certification," counsel said. Counsel added that the substitute inserts specific language authorizing the state police to conduct background checks and that the subsidy would be payable monthly on the first business day.

Counsel identified the Department of Human Services as the affected agency, said a fiscal note had been requested and said the bill would be effective in 90 days if enacted. With no amendments offered, the Vice Chair moved to report the substitute to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass and that, under the original double committee reference, it first be referred to the Committee on Finance; the motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps: The committee substitute for SB 544 will go to the Committee on Finance for fiscal review before further Senate consideration.