SB1333 Summary

• Establishes minimum number of licensed foster homes required statewide and by region, with annual reporting to legislature on progress toward meeting minimums, categorized by child needs (developmental disabilities, behavioral/emotional needs, medically complex conditions, age 13+, sibling groups).

• Requires department to develop plan within 30 days of congregate care placement to transition child to family-like setting and create child-specific implementation plan to meet child's needs while in congregate care.

• Prohibits behavioral health facilities from denying or refusing placement of approved foster children if child's needs are within facility's scope of services, subject to bed availability, with requirement to document clinical reasons and notify placement agency within 24 hours if denial occurs.

• Adds reporting requirements for congregate care placements including number of children in congregate care, categorized by age, ethnicity, sex, type of placement, reason for placement, and length of stay.

• Modifies foster parent training and licensing requirements, including policies and procedures for group foster homes administering medication to medically complex children, with department authority to require additional staffing.