This bill appropriates additional funds to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Division of Youth Safety and Permanency for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Specifically, it allocates $9,518,500 for the Division of Youth Safety and Permanency and $11,727,200 for the Foster and Assistance Payments program. The bill also authorizes an increase of 63 full-time equivalent positions for the Division of Youth Safety and Permanency and provides exemptions for transfer limitations for personnel costs and benefit payments for both fiscal years. Additionally, it sets conditions for foster program licensing staff, aiming for a one-to-one ratio of foster families to foster children by January 1, 2026.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions regarding federal funding restrictions, ensuring that state funds are not used to replace lost federal support without legislative approval. It mandates the Department of Health and Welfare to report on its progress towards achieving the foster family ratio and outlines the conditions, limitations, and restrictions applicable to the appropriations made. Notably, the bill inserts new funding amounts from federal sources, including $2,753,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $5,258,700 for fiscal year 2025, while also establishing a framework for managing these funds effectively. An emergency clause is included, allowing certain sections of the bill to take effect immediately upon passage.