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Rules committee advances bills on child-fatality reviews, foster‑student enrollment and autism pilot
Summary
The Rules Committee voted unanimously to move four items — SB 383 (child-fatality review updates), SB 431 (immediate enrollment for foster students), SB 402 (expand autism pilot for foster youth), and SR 622 (joint study on DHS deficit and foster care costs) — to the rules consideration calendar for further action.
The Rules Committee voted unanimously to advance four items to the rules consideration calendar, including bills aimed at updating child‑fatality review procedures and speeding school enrollment for foster students.
Senator Kirk Patrick introduced Senate Bill 383 as "an agency bill from GBI" intended to "clean up and update the child fatality review process," and members asked no questions about the measure. The committee also approved Senate Bill 431, which would require immediate enrollment of foster students within two days after changing schools to prevent credit loss and repeated grades when credits do not transfer.
On Senate Bill 402, Senator Kirk Patrick said a pilot program currently operating in district 12 found that "autism is, I believe, six times more prevalent in foster children than in children outside of foster care," and the bill would expand the pilot to two additional districts (three total) to determine whether the finding is consistent elsewhere and to assess resource needs for families and foster homes. The senator stated lawmakers expect the work to inform a two‑pronged approach: resources to help families so children do not enter foster care and supports to equip foster parents when children are placed in care. The transcript does not record any technical data or updated prevalence figures beyond the pilot observation.
Members also agreed to SR 622, a joint study committee to investigate a continuing deficit at the Department of Human Services and rising out‑of‑home foster care costs; a member noted the recent government shutdown worsened the budget situation and said the committee should develop recommendations to address rising costs.
At the close of the meeting the vice chairman moved — and Senator Anderson seconded — to place SB 383, SB 402, SB 431 and SR 622 on the rules consideration calendar; the chair called for a voice vote and announced the motion carried unanimously. The chair told members that bills listed on yesterday’s yellow sheet but not today’s would be back on the calendar tomorrow. The meeting was then adjourned.
The transcript provides no recorded votes by roll call or numerical tallies, no statutory citations, and no additional committee deadlines; further committee or floor action will be needed for any of the measures to become law.
