By Peninsula Daily News services

SEATTLE —The Foster Parent Association of Washington State has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, saying the state has a low reimbursement rate for basic care.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday said the state is not complying with the federal Child Welfare Act because it does not give foster parents enough money to cover all expenses, including food, clothing, shelter and schooling.

The lawsuit referred to a national study that says Washington is in the bottom third of all states in its reimbursement to foster parents for basic care.

The study recommended that the state Washington should increase its reimbursement rates by at least 60 percent.

The foster parent group bringing the lawsuit said it is unrelated to the state’s current budget crisis.