| Senator Judith G. Freedman (R-26)
championed the passage of legislation that will protect former,
now adult, foster care children from Connecticut’s efforts
to claim any of their unexpected windfalls, or the proceeds
from their estate upon their death, to recoup the cost of
their care when they were minor wards of the state.
Senator Freedman introduced the legislation
in January. She is grateful that the Select Committee on
Children took up the cause and worked diligently to correct
this injustice.
“Children do not ask to
become foster children, and should not be held financially
liable as adults for the care they received from us when
they were vulnerable, dependent, minor wards of the state.
It is unconscionable the state could, and did, demand payment
when these former foster children came into some money.
Those windfalls belong to them, not to the state,”
said Senator Freedman.
The bill, SB 761, An Act Concerning
Reimbursement For Payments Made By The Department Of Children
And Families For The Care Of A Child, recognizes these children
did not place themselves into the foster care system. Once
they leave the system, and come into some type of a monetary
windfall, the state Department of Administrative Services
has been garnishing it. Under this legislation, this will
no longer be possible. This legislation is effective upon
passage and all current liens will be released.
“The legislation is fair.
It is right. It corrects an inequity that never should have
been,” said Senator Freedman.
The legislation has passed both
houses and is now headed to Governor M. Jodi Rell for signature.
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