A legislative committee has rejected a request to audit the Kansas foster care system. Two Democrats proposed the audit today (WED), but the panel rejected the request on a 4-5 vote with Republican committee members voting “no.” Democratic Representative Jim Ward said he’s been hearing more reports of problems with the system recently.
“Anecdotally, I’m hearing that kids are falling through the cracks, and the procedures aren’t being followed. While we don’t make laws on anecdotes, let’s get some data and find out,” says Ward.
The Democrats referenced two high-profile cases of children dying in Kansas foster care in recent years. Republican Representative Peggy Mast, a former foster parent herself, said the system is complex and an audit won’t fix the issues.
“I’m going to oppose this simply because I think that it will be a lesson in futility,” said Mast.
Republican Senator Julia Lynn also opposed the audit because there is another panel of lawmakers that will be studying the issue later this year.