HB 1808 would require the department of social and human services to contract with a private nonprofit organization that agrees to work collaboratively with independent living providers and the department that is selected after a competitive application process to provide driver’s license support for foster youth, including youth receiving extended foster care services.
This support must include: (1) Reimbursement of fees necessary for a foster youth to obtain a driver’s instruction permit, an intermediate license, and standard or enhanced driver’s license; (2) Reimbursement of fees required for a foster youth to complete a driver training education course, if the foster youth is under the age of eighteen; (3) Reimbursement of the increase in motor vehicle liability insurance costs incurred by foster parents, relative placements, or other foster placements adding a foster youth to his or her motor vehicle liability insurance policy.
The bill also requires the selected nonprofit to submit a report to the department and legislator documenting the number of foster youth served by the program, the average cost per youth served, and recommendations for future policy or statutory or funding changes necessary to more effectively allow foster youth to obtain drivers’ licenses and motor vehicle liability insurance.
Summary of Amendments:
– Removes appropriation of $800,000, or as much as may be necessary within that amount, from the Highway Safety Fund to the Department of Social and Health Services for the purposes of this act, and directs that, in order for this act to take effect, specific funding must be provided in the 2017-2019 transportation budget for the purposes of this act.
– A null and void clause is added and the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
House Floor Amendments:
-Augments required contents of report to be submitted to DSHA and Legislature to include negative outcomes of the program reported by youth, including a foster parent’s inappropriate use of a foster youth’s ability to drive
-Requires that a funding preference be given to reimbursement of motor vehicle liability insurance costs for foster youth who practice safe driving and avoid moving violations and atfault collisions.
