2021-03-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 0366
SB 98                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 98 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to medical assistance for recipients                                                                 
          of adult foster care services; establishing an adult                                                                  
          foster care home license and procedures; and                                                                          
          providing for the transition of individuals from foster                                                               
          care to adult foster care homes."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services                                                          
and Finance Committees.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
 Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Health and Social Services                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 26:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Micciche:                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to certain individuals                                                          
transitioning from foster care services to adult foster care services.                                                          

2021-03-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 0367
                                                                                                                                
This proposal addresses an urgent need to establish safe residential                                                            
living environments for certain foster children who must transition out                                                         
of the foster care system upon turning 18 years of age. This bill                                                               
provides a means for current foster parents to transition their existing                                                        
foster care license, to a new adult foster care home license in order to                                                        
allow their foster child to remain in the same home, and with the same                                                          
family, when the child is released from state custody. The foster child                                                         
must meet certain requirements, have been in state custody prior to                                                             
turning 18, have been residing in the foster home, and must be eligible                                                         
to receive home- and community-based waiver services.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
This new license will provide structured services and family continuity                                                         
by allowing eligible foster children to continue living with their                                                              
current foster family after aging out of the traditional foster care                                                            
system. By providing this transitional assistance, we can assure that                                                           
vulnerable citizens receive continued and responsible care into                                                                 
adulthood.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor