SB 544
Relating to temporary increase in payment to kinship parent
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
Senate Bill 544 proposes a temporary increase in financial support for kinship parents who care for children placed with them. This increase would match the subsidy provided to foster parents, but only under specific circumstances, including successful completion of a background check and addressing critical safety issues in the home. The temporary payment would be capped at six months to encourage foster parent certification. This bill aims to provide more consistent financial support for kinship care arrangements.
Key provisions
- Kinship parents may be eligible for a subsidy increase.
- The subsidy amount would equal that of foster parent subsidies.
- Eligibility requires passing a background check through the WV Cares Program.
- The placement must undergo an initial home screening for safety issues.
- Kinship parents must be assigned to a child placing agency to assist with foster parent certification.
- The temporary increase lasts for a maximum of six months.
- The increase ends if the kinship parent does not become certified.
Who is affected
- Kinship parents
- Children in kinship care
- Child placing agencies
- Foster parent subsidy recipients
- The Department of Health and Human Resources
Notable changes
- Establishes a temporary subsidy increase for kinship parents.
- Links kinship parent payments to foster parent subsidy levels.
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