Committee advances bill to create coordinated continuum of care for youth exiting foster care; fiscal note lists about $10 million
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Summary
House Bill 4730 would require the Department of Human Services to develop and maintain a coordinated continuum of independent living and transitional services for youth exiting or aging out of foster care; counsel cited a fiscal note of roughly $10,000,000 based on serving an additional ~250 youth annually, and witnesses and senators debated federal funding and whether the fiscal note accounted for Title IV‑E and Chafee funds.
Counsel told the committee that House Bill 4730 (previously presented as Senate Bill 797) would require the Department of Human Services to consult with providers and stakeholders to develop and maintain a coordinated continuum of care for youth preparing to exit foster care or who have aged out, including phased supportive living arrangements, on‑site independent living, scattered‑site housing and supportive services to support self‑sufficiency.
Counsel said the bill requires a per‑diem rate structure that accounts for varying levels of supervision, staffing and program intensity, aims to maximize Title IV‑E reimbursement, and includes a cost‑of‑living adjustment. Counsel also noted the bill requires data collection and a quality‑improvement focus.
Counsel cited a fiscal note indicating a $10,000,000 impact derived from expanding the statewide program to serve approximately 250 additional youth annually; senators asked whether the fiscal note separates federal (Chafee, Title IV‑E) and state dollars because the note presented a single total. "It does have a fiscal note that indicates a $10,000,000 impact," counsel said during explanation, and later noted the fiscal note did not break out federal versus state shares.
Senators and witnesses urged moving the bill forward because of an unmet need; Marilyn Hall (government‑relations witness) told the committee that youth who opt into existing services under current law can already receive some services and confirmed federal funding streams exist but that she could not speak for the Department of Human Services on exact fund allocations. Committee members asked staff to obtain more detail from the department on federal funding availability and why earlier reports indicated some federal funds were returned.
After discussion, the committee adopted the motion to report House Bill 4730 to the full Senate with recommendation that it pass. The transcript shows the committee adopted the motion by voice vote; the chair announced "the ayes have it."