SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5646
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 17, 2011
Title: An act relating to allowing for informed telephonic consent for access to housing or homelessness services.
Brief Description: Allowing for informed telephonic consent for access to housing or homelessness services.
Sponsors: Senators Pridemore, Harper and Kline.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/17/11 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Baxter, Carrell, Harper and McAuliffe.
Staff: Shani Bauer (786-7468)
Background: In 2006 the Legislature required the Department of Commerce to implement the Washington Homeless Client Management System by December 31, 2009, in order to collect information about homeless individuals in the state. The system is required to include information from the Washington homeless census, state agencies, and organizations that provide services to the homeless. In collecting information, entities are required to first obtain the written consent of the homeless individual. The consent must be time limited, requiring the entities to periodically obtain a new written consent.
The goal of the management system is to enable local governments and providers to connect homeless persons in the database with available housing.
Summary of Bill: Personally identifying information about a homeless individual may be collected after obtaining oral consent from the person over the telephone if written consent is obtained the first time the individual is physically present at the organization. Safeguards consistent with federal requirements for data collection continue to apply.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill allows a person to obtain services over the phone with telephone consent. The provider can get services flowing and then get written consent when they first see the individual in person. The same privacy protections applies to information obtained over the phone as that obtained in person. The Homeless Client Management System would be better served by the ability to get this information by phone.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Chris Morton, Associated Ministries; Seth Howard, Building Changes; Grace Huang, WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.