JBC approves drafting and introduction of bill to eliminate non‑certified kinship foster care payments

The Joint Budget Committee voted to introduce draft legislation eliminating payments to non‑certified kinship foster care families and to adjust reporting and appropriation language for certified kinship care.

Emily Pope (JBC staff) told the committee she had worked with counties and the Department of Human Services on the draft and said the fiscal dynamics are strained: payments that had been expected to be covered by TANF reserves and other sources were not fully reflected in the base budget, and the uptick in kinship placements produced a projected shortfall on the order of $9 million general fund. "I think everyone is on the same page and recognizes that there's not sustainable funding for non certified kinship foster care payments," Pope said.

The draft eliminates the statutory requirement for payments to non‑certified kinship caregivers, specifies that certified kinship payments are subject to appropriations, and adjusts reporting clauses and county responsibilities to avoid unintended court‑ordered obligations. Committee members pressed for implementation details, including whether a phased approach or expedited certification assistance for caregivers could ease the transition; staff noted prior statutory changes (Senate Bill 2408) aimed at easing certification but said fiscal constraints drove the recommendation.

The committee voted to introduce the draft as requested and will return the bill for consideration during long‑bill negotiations and subsequent staff comebacks.