Bill would let long‑term foster caregivers avoid adult‑family‑home relicensure in some cases, DSHS says

Senate Bill 6,036, sponsored by Senator Claudia Kaufman, would create a narrow exemption from adult family home licensure for individuals who previously held an active foster-care license or child-specific (kinship) license and who provided personal care to a former foster youth for at least three years prior to the youth exiting foster care.

Allison Mendiola, committee staff, told the committee the exemption applies only when the caregiver had an active foster license in Washington for at least three years, provided personal care to the former foster youth for at least three years, has no founded or substantiated CPS or APS findings, and is not the subject of pending adverse licensing actions at the time the youth exits foster care. For kinship-licensed caregivers, the same restrictions apply. Mendiola noted a fiscal note showed no cost to the bill.

Senator Claudia Kaufman (47th Legislative District) said the bill is intended to preserve continuity and stability for young people aging out of foster care by allowing them to remain with a caregiver who already knows and has supported them. Kaufman drew on personal experience as a former foster parent to emphasize training and oversight remain part of the approach.

Bea Rector, assistant secretary for the Home and Community Living Administration, testified in support as agency-request legislation, explaining the current statute can displace young adults when foster providers must seek adult-family-home licensure; the narrow exemption would give vulnerable young adults the option to remain in their home while preserving choice to leave.

Amina Torrey was signed in pro but was not present to testify. The committee closed the public testimony on SB 6,036 and will consider next steps during executive-session scheduling for the short session.