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 been required by new case management policies, instituted 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.

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.