SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1054

            AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES,

                                 APRIL 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for reports of abuse of children or adult dependent or developmentally disabled persons.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Leonard, Winsley, Riley, Orr, R. King and Sheldon; by request of Dept. of Social and Health Services).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Craswell, Stratton, and Talmadge. 

Staff:  Jan Sharar (786‑7747)

Hearing Dates:April 3, 1991; April 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Certain professionals who have regular professional contact with children, dependent adults or persons with developmental disabilities are required to report abuse or neglect if there is reasonable cause to do so.  Reports are required to be made to child protective services or to the proper law enforcement agency. 

Current law requires all cases be reported, including incidents discovered in the therapy of adults.  In some cases, adults do not want the incident disclosed to an agency or to be investigated.  

SUMMARY:

Reports of abuse or neglect are made when the  victim is currently a person subject to the reporting requirement.  Mandatory reporting shall apply in cases where the individual is under 18 years of age or is an adult dependent or person with developmental disabilities at the time of the incident of abuse or neglect.

A repeal section is incorporated to reflect the transfer of the  child abuse and neglect registry to the Washington State Patrol.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

It is clarified that a report of abuse or neglect shall include the identity of the accused, if known.  The reporting requirement is modified to include reporting in situations where other vulnerable individuals are being abused or neglected or are at risk of abuse or neglect.

TESTIMONY FOR:

This is needed to simplify the situation professionals face with adult clients who discover they were abused as children but do not want the fact reported to Child Protective Services.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Ann Simon, WA Assn. of Marriage and Family Therapists; Lonnie Johns-Brown, NASW & WACSAP