House File 2287 - Introduced
HOUSE FILE
BY BERRY
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act relating to the training requirements for foster parent
2 licensure.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
4 TLSB 6099HH 81
5 jp/je/5
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. Section 237.5A, Code 2005, is amended to read
1 2 as follows:
1 3 237.5A FOSTER PARENT TRAINING.
1 4 1. As a condition for initial licensure, each individual
1 5 licensee shall complete thirty hours of foster parent training
1 6 offered or approved by the department. However, the
1 7 department may waive or defer all or part of the initial
1 8 training requirement if any of the following circumstances are
1 9 applicable:
1 10 a. The individual licensee is the child's relative, is an
1 11 extended family member of the child as defined in section
1 12 232B.3, or has another significant connection with the child,
1 13 and has completed relevant training in this state or elsewhere
1 14 or has a combination of completed relevant training and
1 15 experience, and the department deems such training or
1 16 combination to be an acceptable equivalent to all or a portion
1 17 of the initial licensure training requirement.
1 18 b. Based upon the circumstances of the child and the
1 19 individual licensee, the department finds there is other good
1 20 cause to waive or defer all or a portion of the initial
1 21 training requirement.
1 22 2. Prior to annual renewal of licensure, each individual
1 23 licensee shall also complete six hours of foster parent
1 24 training.
1 25 3. The initial and annual training shall include but is
1 26 not limited to physical care, education, learning
1 27 disabilities, referral to and receipt of necessary
1 28 professional services, behavioral assessment and modification,
1 29 self=assessment, self=living skills, and biological parent
1 30 contact.
1 31 4. An individual licensee may complete the initial or
1 32 annual training as part of an approved training program
1 33 offered by a public or private agency with expertise in the
1 34 provision of child foster care or in related subject areas.
1 35 The department shall adopt rules to implement and enforce this
2 1 training requirement.
2 2 5. A licensee who is unable to complete six hours of
2 3 foster parent training prior to annual licensure renewal
2 4 because the licensee is engaged in active duty in the military
2 5 service shall be considered to be in compliance with the
2 6 training requirement for annual licensure renewal.
2 7 EXPLANATION
2 8 This bill relates to the training requirements for foster
2 9 parent licensure.
2 10 Under current law, an individual foster parent prior to
2 11 licensure must complete 30 hours of foster parent training
2 12 offered or approved by the department of human services. The
2 13 bill authorizes the department to waive or defer all or a part
2 14 of this requirement for a relative of the child, an extended
2 15 family member of the child as defined under Iowa's Indian
2 16 child welfare law, or an individual who has another
2 17 significant connection with the child. These individuals must
2 18 also have completed relevant training in this state or
2 19 elsewhere or have a combination of completed relevant training
2 20 or experience, which the department deems to be an acceptable
2 21 equivalent to all or a portion of the initial licensure
2 22 training requirement.
2 23 The bill also allows the department to waive or defer the
2 24 requirement if there is good cause to do so based upon the
2 25 circumstances of the child or individual licensee.
2 26 LSB 6099HH 81
2 27 jp:rj/je/5