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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has signed House Bill 2524, which allows the Secretary for Children and Families to license family foster homes when other individuals residing in the home meet certain exceptions that previously disqualified the family. 

“While rules and regulations around foster family licensing have always intended to keep children safe first and foremost, we must be willing to listen to families and adjust laws when necessary. In this instance, current law was dividing families and causing parents to choose between their children and their role as foster parents, and that is unacceptable,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I thank the individuals who shared their stories through testimony, and I am pleased to sign bipartisan legislation that ensures individuals who have been touched by the foster system have the support, care, and stability they need as they grow.” 

Previously, when young people achieved permanency within their licensed family foster home or transitioned out of custody of the Secretary for Children and Families, they became subject to background check requirements. If the individual had been convicted or adjudicated of a prohibited offense, it resulted in the foster home becoming ineligible for licensure so long as that individual is living in the household. This has led to foster families making the impossible choice of removing family members from their household or giving up their foster care license and disrupting placement of the foster children currently placed in the household.  

“Under House Bill 2524, foster families are empowered to make decisions regarding permanency without fear of losing their license and disrupting foster children currently placed in their home,” said Representative Cyndi Howerton, District 98. “This is smart legislation that puts the well-being of children and families first while also maintaining reasonable safety standards.” 

Under House Bill 2524, exceptions are provided if the young adult with a history of a prohibited offense residing in the home is under the age of 26, was a child when they were convicted or adjudicated, and were in the custody of the Secretary when placed in the home. 

This law also creates an appeal process for family foster homes when licenses are not granted if the young adult with a prohibited offense is over 26 or earns an additional prohibited offense after exiting DCF custody, allowing the Secretary of DCF to grant or maintain a license if she determines there are no safety concerns.  

“House Bill 2524 is thoughtful legislation that addresses a gap that has previously destabilized foster families and children,” said Representative Jarrod Ousley, District 24. “By prioritizing the well-being and stability of foster youth, we’re setting them up for success while also supporting foster families, who are the backbone of the foster care system in Kansas.” 

Under this legislation, foster families will be able to maintain stability for the foster children and permanently placed children who rely on them.

In addition to House Bill 2524, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills: 

House Bill 2237: Authorizing hiring, recruitment, and retention bonuses in state agencies’ employee award and recognition programs up to $10,000.

House Bill 2320: Authorizing children in the custody of the Secretary of the Department for Children and Families to attend school in any school district and requiring records for students to be transferred in a timely manner between school districts.

House Bill 2323: Establishing procedures for a civil action instituted by the commissioner of insurance related to fraudulent insurance acts, as well providing that expunged criminal records will be disclosed in certain situations for licensure as an insurance producer or public adjustor. 

House Bill 2331: Authorizing the disposition of the unclaimed remains of deceased persons by district coroners and proving exemptions from liability for such actions. 

House Bill 2374: Creating the specialty practice student loan program and the specialty practice student loan repayment fund, as well as modifying practices for OBGYN and psychiatry medical student loan repayment funds. 

House Bill 2378: Establishing the removal of squatters act, providing a procedure to remove a squatter from a dwelling unit, and altering protocol for law enforcement to squatting. 

House Bill 2416: Creating the Kansas motorsports venue protection act to provide immunity to motorsports venues from civil actions for nuisance, taking or similar legal theories. 

House Bill 2435: Authorizing natural gas public utilities to recover certain growth-related investments in the gas system reliability surcharge, increasing the cap on the amount that the monthly fixed charge may be increased for residential customers, and reducing the time for the state corporation commission to act on gas system reliability surcharge filings. 

House Bill 2440: Excluding owners of oil leases from having to file request for exemption with the board of tax appeals for property tax exemptions. 

House Bill 2536: Requiring proposed guardians for certain adults who have a cognitive impairment or are diagnosed with a neurological condition to complete training approved by the secretary for aging and disability services prior to appointment as a guardian. 

Senate Bill 364: Requiring the department of wildlife and parks to offer a discounted resident senior combination hunting and fishing license to residents of Kansas who are 65 years of age or older and increasing the maximum age to qualify for the Kansas kids lifetime combination hunting and fishing license and decreasing the maximum fee and removing the expiration of such license. 

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