Education (Children)

H 8 creates a digital system to securely store and transfer foster children's educational records as recommended by the State Auditor. This bill directly affects foster youth, schools, and child welfare agencies by replacing paper-based record sharing with a unified electronic platform. The key provision requires the state education department to establish this system, ensuring consistent access to academic histories during placements. It implements a specific recommendation from the State Auditor's report (House No. 3) without adding new requirements or funding. The bill focuses solely on improving record management, not on broader foster care policy changes.

This bill creates new education support systems for children in state care. It requires the child welfare department to establish an education unit and appoint an education director, who must monitor students' academic progress, develop policies, and coordinate with schools. The bill also mandates education specialists to assist social workers with school enrollment, individual education plans, and training on educational barriers. These changes directly affect children under the department's custody and their social workers, aiming to improve educational stability and access.