(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the secretary shall provide liability insurance to foster parents licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW. The coverage shall be for personal injury and property damage caused by foster parents or foster children that occurred while the children were in foster care. Such insurance shall cover acts of ordinary negligence but shall not cover illegal conduct or bad faith acts taken by foster parents in providing foster care. Moneys paid from liability insurance for any claim are limited to the amount by which the claim exceeds the amount available to the claimant from any valid and collectible liability insurance.
(2) The secretary may purchase the insurance required in subsection (1) of this section or may choose a self-insurance method. The total moneys expended pursuant to this authorization shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars per biennium. If the secretary elects a method of self-insurance, the expenditure shall include all administrative and staff costs. If the secretary elects a method of self-insurance, he or she may, by rule, place a limit on the maximum amount to be paid on each claim.
(3) Nothing in this section or RCW 4.24.590 is intended to modify the foster parent reimbursement plan in place on July 1, 1991.
(4) The liability insurance program shall be available by July 1, 1991.
[ 2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 § 509; 1991 c 283 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 6 §§ 102, 104-115, 201-227, 301-337, 401-419, 501-513, 801-803, and 805-822: See note following RCW 43.216.025.
Conflict with federal requirements—2017 3rd sp.s. c 6: See RCW 43.216.908.
Findings—1991 c 283: "The legislature recognizes the unique legal risks that foster parents face in taking children into their care. Third parties have filed claims against foster parents for losses and damage caused by foster children. Additionally, foster children and their parents have sued foster parents for actions occurring while the children were in foster care. The legislature finds that some potential foster parents are unwilling to subject themselves to potential liability without insurance protection. The legislature further finds that to encourage those people to serve as foster parents, it is necessary to assure that such insurance is available to them." [ 1991 c 283 § 1.]
Effective date—1991 c 283: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1991." [ 1991 c 283 § 5.]