Date: 01/14/2008

Final
HB08-1006

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Motion to pass HB 08-1006 to the Committee of the PASS


Representative Jahn presented HB 08-1006 which requires a county Department of Social Services to arrange for a visit between a child in foster care and his or her sibling within a reasonable amount of time if the child and his or her sibling express a mutual desire to visit with each other.

01:45 PM -- Renee Manke, Bridging the Gap, testified in support of the bill. She detailed a story about how she is not able to see her younger sister because they both were removed from their home and now reside with different foster parents. She stated that she is her sister's only family and she would like to be able to see her.

01:47 PM -- Stephanie Wooten, Bridging the Gap, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wooten testified that she is a foster child and is not able to see her sibling. Ms. Wooten provided some details to the committee about Bridging the Gap program and the services they provide to homeless children.

01:49 PM -- Alyssa Lasseter, Mile High United Way, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Lasseter stated that the need for supportive positive relationships are one of the most crucial aspects of a young person's life. Ms. Lasseter clarified that currently a trained representative from the county or case manager makes decisions about whether siblings in foster care can see each other along with input from the foster parents.

01:56 PM -- Dr. Sharon Ford, Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Ford stated the department is required to follow federal law to verify whether siblings in foster care can see one another . Dr. Ford stated that the department does not have legislative authority requiring visitation of foster siblings upon request, but that the department has a rule allowing visitation of foster siblings upon request. Dr. Ford stated the department aids in allowing foster siblings to see one another, but the department would like to have legislative authority to aid in the process.


02:03 PM

Representative Jahn stated that while the department has rule making authority to aid in the process of visitation of foster siblings, it does not always work out that way. She stated the department supports the legislation and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:1006
TIME: 02:03:42 PM
MOVED:Kefalas
MOTION:Motion to pass HB 08-1006 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Gagliardi
Yes
Garza-Hicks
Yes
Green
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
Marostica
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Stafford
Yes
Swalm
Yes
Frangas
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS