CHAIRMAN RIEGER called the Senate Health, Education and Social                
 Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:55 p.m.  He introduced                
  SB 296  (EXTEND FOSTER CARE REVIEW PANEL) as the first order of              
 business before the committee.  He pointed out that there is a                
 house version of SB 296.  He stated that he planned to waive the              
 house version which could be picked up in the next committee.                 
                                                                               
 SENATOR ELLIS pointed out that there was a sponsor statement in the           
 committee's packet.  SB 296 would extend the Foster Care Review               
 Board which would no longer be in business if this action is not              
 taken.  He noted that there has been bipartisan support and little            
 controversy over this matter.                                                 
                                                                               
 ROBERLY WALDRON, Deputy Commissioner at the Department of                     
 Administration, stated that she would be happy for SB 296 to move             
 forward.  She indicated that the Foster Care Review Board has                 
 worked well thus far.                                                         
                                                                               
 SENATOR ELLIS expressed appreciation for Ms. Waldron's work on                
 keeping the Independent Foster Care Review process functioning with           
 limited resources.                                                            
                                                                               
 SENATOR ELLIS moved SB 296 out of committee with individual                   
 recommendations.  Hearing no objections, it was so ordered.