TOPEKA, Kan. — A House committee has approved a bill to create an independent agency to oversee Kansas’ foster care system.
The House Children and Seniors Committee on Monday advanced the bill creating the Office of the Child Advocate. The agency would investigate complaints and track child welfare agencies, primarily the state Department for Children and Families, which oversees the foster care system. The move came after the bill’s chief proponent agreed to have the proposed agency report to the Republican-led Legislature instead of an executive branch agency under Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
The bill now goes to the full House for a vote.
