S.F. No. 1217 permits denial of a foster care license to a family child foster care provider or applicant based on background study information that does not amount to a disqualification but reflects upon the individual’s ability to safely care for children. Before recommending such a denial, the responsible county or agency must conduct a detailed review of the nondisqualifying background study information, information about the subject’s capacity to provide foster care, and statements from the subject and the license holder, and provide a summary and licensing recommendation to the commissioner based on the detailed review.

The bill also prohibits an individual from receiving a family child foster care license if the individual has ever committed an action that resulted in the death of a minor, been involved with sexual abuse of a minor, or has committed certain felony-level crimes. The commissioner may not set aside a disqualification based on these instances.

An individual is also disqualified if fewer than five years have passed since termination of the individual’s parental rights, since being convicted of certain felony-level offenses, or since a determination or disposition of the individual’s failure to make required reports or substantiated serious or recurring maltreatment.