Senate Bill 893 provides a $5,000 income tax exemption for foster families in Oklahoma and Governor Kevin Stitt signed it into law this week.
“There are nearly 8,000 children in state custody who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. No child should ever have to go through this but fortunately Oklahoma has families who selflessly open their hearts and homes to help these kids and their biological families,” said Senator Paul Scott, SB 893’s Senate author. “DHS is always in need of more foster homes to meet the needs of the children in their care. This exemption will provide foster families with some financial relief as well as hopefully help recruit many more great families.”
To qualify, foster families will need to be under contract and providing care for at least six months. For families with less time under contract, they can make a pro rata claim.
The income tax exemption could be used as a tool for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as they try to recruit another 400 foster families by the end of June to hit the agency’s goal of 900 new foster homes.
“Foster families make sacrifices within their own households to care for children who have been abused and neglected. DHS and the State of Oklahoma are continually developing ways to better support our foster families as we recruit more to this critical role,” said DHS Director Ed Lake. “We greatly appreciate Sen. Scott’s legislation, which will financially benefit current foster families and also help our ongoing foster care recruitment efforts.”
