Requires DHS to increase fees paid to foster care home providers by 7%.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the cost of operating foster care homes has increased. In addition to the doubling of malpractice and liability insurance costs and escalating rental costs, foster care home providers have had to deal with changes in case management requirements along with other mandates imposed by the department of human services to perform their own billing and accreditation operations. The Foster Care Home Association reports that the department of human services pays a minimum of seventy-five cents per hour, or $22.58 per day, and a maximum of $1.29 per hour, or $38.66 per day to foster care home providers. However, foster care home providers have not received any increase in compensation since 1997.

The legislature finds that foster care home providers contribute significant cost savings to the State by providing an alternative to costly institutional care and allow for care in a home-like setting that is an important part of our diverse cultural values.

The purpose of this Act is to increase the rate of payment to foster care home providers.

SECTION 2. The department of human services shall amend its administrative rules to increase payment to foster care home providers by seven per cent.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.