Legislature passes important foster care bills

Two important foster care bills passed the Legislature this year after several years of intensive education and advocacy by foster care supporters, reports HANO member Judith Clark, executive director of the Hawai‘i Youth Services Network.

HB523 Relating to Children establishes a set of guiding principles for foster care that assures foster children the right to adequate nutrition and health care; supports religious choices; and gives youth a voice in decisions about their lives.

HB1356 Relating to Higher Education Board Allowance for Former Foster Youth increases the time period in which former foster youth may apply for and receive higher education board allowance benefits.

“I would like to particularly acknowledge the efforts of many current and former foster youth who educated legislators and provided testimony on the bills,” said Clark.