S-3718.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6648
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State of Washington 57th Legislature 2002 Regular Session
By Senator Hargrove
Read first time 01/24/2002. Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
AN ACT Relating to the improved early coordination of services between the department of social and health services and public safety agencies when allegations of criminal mistreatment are made; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that responses by the department of social and health services and public safety agencies have varied between jurisdictions when allegations of withholding of the basic necessities of life are made. The legislature intends to improve the capacity of the department of social and health services and public safety agencies to respond to situations where the basic necessities of life are withheld by allowing an earlier intervention in such cases. The legislature finds that improved coordination between the department of social and health services and public safety agencies at an earlier point will lead to better treatment of children and families and will reduce the likelihood of serious harm.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The department of social and health services, in consultation with the attorney general and organizations representing law enforcement agencies, shall prepare a plan for improved coordination of services to families when a member of the family is charged with criminal mistreatment under chapter 9A.42 RCW. The plan shall include revisions in the department's identification of the needs for services for the families following an arrest and filing of criminal mistreatment charges, delivery of such services, ways of enhancing cooperation with law enforcement agencies during and following the investigation and trial on such charges, improved identification of those incidents which may precede such charges and are indicators of a need for offering of services and possible improvements in the methods of response to such incidents, suggestions for ongoing efforts in reducing the number of criminal mistreatment charges through improved identification of incidents and trends that are markers of potentially serious family stress, and a review of the adequacy of current sentencing for violations of the criminal mistreatment statutes.
(2) The department of social and health services shall regularly consult with the legislature in the preparation of the plan. The plan shall be submitted to the governor and the legislature not later than December 1, 2002.
(3) This section expires December 31, 2002.
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