SPONSOR: Hausman
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Children and Families by a vote of 14 to 0.
Currently, a child-placing agency for foster care pupils must make a best interest determination for school placement within 10 days and only for foster children more than 10 miles from their previous school or 15 miles if the child is receiving services from a special school district.
This bill changes the number of days for a determination to 30 or if it is during the summer when school is not in session 60 days, and moves the distance to 30 miles or 35 miles for services in a special school district.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill provides stability for foster kids. It's not about speed, it's about getting it done right the first time. This bill will prevent kids from being bounced around from school to school. The best interest of the child is what should be considered, and a foster child's eduction is important. Foster care kids are some of the most at-risk educationally. The bill would keep the positive aspects of a child's life contiguous.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Hausman; Arnie Dienoff; and FosterAdopt Connect.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: