FOSTER CARE LIC. REQUIREMENTS - S.B. 492 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 492 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Michael J. Bouchard

Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would amend the child care licensing Act to specify that, upon the recommendation of a local foster care review board or a child placing agency, the Department of Consumer and Industry Services (DCIS) could grant a variance to one or more licensing rules or statutes with respect to a licensed foster family home or foster family group home, if the placement of a particular child in that home would cause the home to be out of compliance with one or more licensing requirements and the placement were in the child's best interests. A variance could be granted under the bill only if the DCIS determined that violation of the particular licensing rule or statute would not jeopardize the health or safety of the children residing in the home.

Proposed MCL 722.118b - Legislative Analyst: S. Margules

FISCAL IMPACT

According to the Department of Consumer and Industry Services, this bill would put in statute and expand a procedure that has been promulgated as a rule by the Department which allows the DCIS to waive administrative requirements. The bill also would expand the provisions of that rule by allowing the Department to grant a variance to statutory requirements. The bill therefore would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed: 5-9-97 - Fiscal Analyst: M. Tyszkiewicz

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.