EXPLANATION:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 38, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, page 395, after line 11, by adding an appropriately numbered paragraph to read:

/ (DSS: Foster care grants) From the funds appropriated to the Department of Social Services, the department may develop a grant program to provide churches and qualifying non-profit organizations grants of up to $30,000 for providing assistance to the foster care system. A grant recipient only may use the grant funding to recruit and train individuals that provide foster care for medically fragile children or teenagers. To qualify for a grant, the qualifying non-profit organization must be in good standing with the Secretary of State's Office and the Internal Revenue Service, and the organization must be a vendor in the South Carolina Enterprise Information System. The department shall develop the rules and standards of the grant program, including but not limited to assistance requirements, grant criteria, and the application and awarding process. The department shall adher to the grant reporting requirements set forth in Executive Order 2022-19 and submit a report of all awarded grants to the Chairmen of House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee by June 30th. /

Amend totals and titles to conform.