Foster care; maintenance payment amount; Department of Human Services; Director; deduction; dollar amount; foster children; codification; effective date.

HB 3343 increases the minimum monthly foster care maintenance payment for traditional foster parents to $1,000 per child, requiring the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director to annually review these rates for appropriateness and potential increases. It also raises the annual tax deduction available to foster parents from $5,000 to $7,500 for expenses related to caring for foster children, with eligibility requiring at least six months of continuous care and applying to up to three children per year. The deduction includes specific rules for partial claims if care lasts less than six months and limits for married couples filing separately. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.