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Kansas Legislative Committee Considers Audit Of DCF

jim_ward_december_2015.jpg
Stephen Koranda
/
KPR

A Kansas legislative committee has concerns about the way the state is handling the placement of foster children, but the committee delayed taking any action until next month.

Rep. Jim Ward wants an audit of the Kansas Department for Children and Families, because he says evidence of wrongdoing can’t be released due to confidentiality laws. The Wichita Democrat says an audit could reveal discrimination by DCF against same-sex couples.

“I believe the evidence is there, and if given the protection of a post audit, there will be substantial evidence of discrimination by DCF,” Ward says.

A spokesperson for DCF says the department does not discriminate against same-sex couples. Republicans on the committee say they want more time to develop an audit request that's broad enough to uncover possible problems inside the agency.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, KMUW, Kansas Public Radio and High Plains Radio covering health, education and politics.