Committee approves temporary foster care licensing rules; department highlights kin-specific licensure, background-check standard

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved temporary and pending foster care licensing rules (docket 0500And1) following a presentation by Jared Larson, chief of staff at the Department of Health and Welfare. Larson outlined three items of note: implementation of kin-specific licensure to reflect legislation enacted last year, relocation and minor edits to suspension/revocation and transfer language, and a substantive addition to foster parent qualifications concerning a "law-abiding lifestyle." The committee approved the docket on a voice vote after Larsoninvited questions and identified departmental subject-matter experts.

Larson read a newly inserted clarifying sentence and explained its effect: "A clearance from the background check unit does not preclude the revocation of a license under the subsection." He said the department applies a preponderance-of-evidence standard when it must prove an act occurred to deny or revoke licensure, and that the background check rules identify categories of convictions that can preclude licensure. Larson also introduced Julie Subchak, program manager in the Youth Safety and Permanency division, as the department expert available for technical questions. Senator Ziderfeld asked about the impact of House Bill 245 (raising the age eligibility from 21 to 23); Larson said the department has seen an increase and agreed to provide the committee with a written summary of exact counts (the chair recalled the law would affect about 90 people).