Fiscal Note
BILL # SB 1544 TITLE: kinship foster care; stipend
SPONSOR: Alston STATUS: As Introduced
PREPARED BY: Ryan Fleischman
Description
The bill would increase the monthly kinship care stipend from $300 to $600 for each child placed in an unlicensed kinship
care setting.
Estimated Impact
We estimate the bill will result in a General Fund cost increase of $19.6 million to provide the increased subsidy to current
recipients. DCS may have a surplus of up to $5.0 million in their existing Kinship Foster Care appropriation that could
potentially offset the cost of this increase.
The Department of Child Safety (DCS) estimates the bill will result in a General Fund cost increase of $20.1 million.
Analysis
Kinship settings, where care is provided by a family member or adult who has a significant relationship with the child, are
a common placement type for foster youth. As of June 30, 2022, the kinship stipend program provided for payments for
5,439 children in unlicensed homes. Participants in the kinship stipend program currently receive an average of $300 per
month. The bill would increase the stipend to $600 per month, or $7,200 per year.
At an additional $300 per month, or $3,600 per year, per child, the projected cost for 5,439 recipients is $19.6 million.
Local Government Impact
None
2/22/23