Child Welfare Bill Passes Senate Finance Committee

Today, Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) brought the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (S. 1542) to mark up in the Senate Finance Committee. Both spoke of the need for continued reform of the child welfare system beyond this legislation, though in different ways. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) mentioned the need to continue improving outcomes for youth in care and agreed with the need for further reforming child welfare financing. The bill passed without objections and now heads to the Senate floor. While that vote has not been scheduled, the House is expected to vote on their version (H.R. 2883) of the same bill tomorrow. Click here for CWLA’s summary of the bill.