BOISE - Proposed changes in oversight of foster care in Idaho are closer to becoming law.
Legislation that already won unanimous approval in the state Senate got another hearing Thursday afternoon in the House Judiciary Committee and passed unanimously.
Among those who testified Thursday was 21-year old Chalyce Hurt, who chairs the Idaho Youth Foster Advisory Board.
Hurt entered foster care at the age of 15 with her three younger siblings.
At one point, Hurt says she was separated from her brothers and sisters for several months with no communication while they were split up among different families.
Policy in this bill is designed to keep siblings together and it’s a plan Hurt is a strong advocate for.
"For me, had I lost contact with my siblings completely I probably wouldn't be here today," she said. "Those kids are my reason for doing everything that I possibly do. I want to prove to them that it doesn't matter what happened to us or where we came from, we can be amazing, successful people."
Along with keeping siblings together, SB 1341 also aims to strengthen services for newly reunified families, enhance procedures to investigate suspected child abuse and neglect, and establish a citizen review panel and a child protective legislative oversight committee, both of which seek to increase accountability for child welfare outcomes within the state's foster care system.
The bill now heads to the House floor for a vote.