FOSTER CHILD ID THEFT PROTECTION ACT                                              H.B. 4022 (H-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4022 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Robert L. Kosowski

House Committee:  Families, Children, and Seniors

Senate Committee:  Families, Seniors and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would create the "Foster Child Identification Theft Protection Act" to require the Department of Health and Human Services to do the following:

-- Annually request a credit report for each foster child who was at least 14 but younger than 18 and under the Department's care or supervision.

-- Work with a foster child and a consumer reporting agency if a credit report showed fraudulent activity in the child's name.

-- Assist a youth who was 18 or older and had been in the foster care system to obtain a copy of his or her credit report, unless the youth opted not to receive the Department's assistance.

-- Recommend to a foster child's permanent caregiver that a credit check be performed, when a child under 14 left foster care.

-- Keep records regarding a foster child's credit report.

The bill also would require a foster child's caseworker to discuss the child's credit report with him or her periodically, and inform the child of what was being done on his or her behalf regarding the report.

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

                                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  5-19-16                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  John Maxwell

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.