FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 153

                                  C 206 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Brekke, Winsley, Sutherland, H. Sommers, Leonard, Jacobsen, Moyer, Scott, Padden, R. King, Patrick, Lewis, Wang, Sanders, Miller and Brough; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Requiring reports of abuse of developmentally disabled persons.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1984, legislation was enacted requiring specified persons to report episodes of abuse and neglect of children and persons with developmental disabilities to the Department of Social and Health Services or law enforcement agencies.  In 1985, the reporting was expanded to include abuse and neglect of adult dependent persons, such as mentally ill and senile persons.  The term "developmentally disabled person" was deleted and replaced with "adult dependent persons," meaning persons who have been or could be determined to need a court-appointed guardian.

However, most developmentally disabled persons have not been determined to need a guardian.  Because they do not come within the statutory definition of "adult dependent person," developmentally disabled persons are inadvertently excluded from the reporting requirements.

SUMMARY:

It is clarified that the requirement for reporting abuse and neglect of children and adult dependent persons includes developmentally disabled persons.  Gender-related corrections are made.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 90   0

      Senate    45     0

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987