The Committee on Health and Human Resources met Tuesday afternoon, advancing two bills and holding hearings on additional legislation relating to kinship and child welfare.
House Bill 4022 sets rules for assigning child protective services workers by county and requires reporting any changes to their placement.
The bill ensures counties have the correct number of CPS workers where they’re needed most. The legislation also gives the commissioner authority to adjust assignments based on each county’s immediate needs.
The bill was sent to the House with a recommendation to pass.
House Bill 4354 sets requirements for clothing and essential items for foster children.
The bill establishes what constitutes an adequate wardrobe for children in the state’s legal custody and outlines how payments for these necessities will be made.
The bill was sent to the House with the recommendation that it do pass, first being referred to the Committee on Finance.
The Committee then held hearings on HB4390, relating to the Kinship Parent Subsidy, and HB4393, relating to a Statewide Prevention Plan.
House Bill 4390 ensures that kinship parents receive a subsidy equal to that of a foster parent in certain situations and establishes the timeline for when these payments must be made.
The bill was marked up for further consideration.
House Bill 4393 requires the creation and implementation of a statewide prevention plan with trauma-informed, evidence-based services for children at risk.
The bill aims to provide support and resources to children and families who may need help, whether they currently have an open child welfare or youth services case.
The bill was marked up for further discussion.
