JBC introduces bill to cap adoption and guardianship subsidies, citing $8M in savings

Emily Pope, JVC staff, told the Joint Budget Committee the bill would cap monthly subsidy payments for adoption and guardianship at age-differentiated percentages of the foster care rate and remove services from the entitlement. "It's estimated that this will save you $8,000,000 in total funds, including $4,700,000 general fund," Pope said. She noted that Department data show about 24% of adoption families and 40% of guardianship families currently receive payments above the proposed caps.

Pope framed the policy as a cost-control response to a long-bill increase: "That's compared to a $14,600,000 general fund increase for this program that's included in the long bill." Committee members asked for more information about how many families would be affected; Pope pointed to a memo in the packet and said staff would follow up with additional details.

A committee member moved to introduce the draft and the committee approved the introduction on a 6-0 voice vote. Staff advised the bill will originate in the House and run with the long bill; the transcript lists House sponsors as Brown and Sirota and Senate sponsors as Kirkmeyer and Amabile, with Bridges and Taggart as cosponsors.

The committee did not vote on program adoption or implementation details; staff will return with clarifying materials and the memo referenced during the presentation. The committee kept the matter in its package for the long-bill process and directed staff to provide the requested family-impact data.