House Sponsors: HARRIS-DAVIS,MONIQUE-PUGH-GASH-BLACK, JONES,LOU AND GILES. Short description: ST-BD-ED-GRANTS-FOSTER KIDS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to award grants to school districts to offset the expenses associated with educating foster children. Effective July 1, 2000. STATE MANDATES NOTE (State Board of Education) It is not clear what costs HB 3858 is intended to fund so it is difficult to estimate a cost. Current law and appropriations already subsidize all special education costs associated with such children and their regular education costs are funded in the general State aid formula. DCFS estimates that the number of foster children likely to be in public schools and partici- pate in this program will be 20,000. Given the inclusive nature of the costs HB 3858 appears to cover, as well as the needs of foster children who typically score below average on State tests, it is likely that a school district's minimum documented costs, above the general State aid formula, will range from $1000 to $3000. It is also possible that these costs could be as high as $5000 per child (above the GSA amount). Thus, HB 3858 could cost between $20 and $100 million. FISCAL NOTE (State Board of Education) Same as SBE State Mandates note. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status