HOUSE BILL REPORT

E2SSB 5252

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Saling, Gaspard, Lee, Kiskaddon, von Reichbauer, Zimmerman, Bender, Rinehart, Bauer, Smitherman, Vognild, Nelson, Johnson and Moore)

Establishing a primary prevention program for child abuse and neglect.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Leonard, Moyer, Padden, H. Sommers, Sutherland, Wang and Winsley.

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments by Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations and not by Committee on Human Services.  (23)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Allen, Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Grimm, Hine, Holland, McLean, McMullen, Nealey, Niemi, Peery, Sayan, Silver, L. Smith, H. Sommers, Sprenkle and B. Williams.

House Staff:      Sandi Gray (786-7154)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 15, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Child abuse and neglect reports have been dramatically increasing in the last few years.  It is unknown whether this is due to a greater awareness of the seriousness of child abuse and neglect or to an actual increased number of incidents.  Regardless of the reason, child abuse and neglect is seen as a serious social problem with costly effects on both society and the victim.  Many of the victims go on in turn to become abusers themselves.  It is suggested that a primary school and day care-based prevention program beginning with preschool age children, their parents and care providers and extending through grade twelve, may be effective in reducing this problem.

SUMMARY:

It is the intent of the legislature to provide primary child abuse and neglect prevention education and training to children of all ages, their parents, school employees and licensed day care providers.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) shall be the lead agency and have primary responsibility for coordinating the program.  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) shall handle preschool age children's parents and day care providers in licensed day care programs.  The Department of Community Development (DCD) shall handle preschool age children in Head Start or early childhood education programs monitored by that department. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall provide assistance to school districts in establishing a program.

The primary prevention program may include parent, teacher and children's workshops, training prior to the workshops for parents and school staff, training for licensed day care providers, and training for children.  The program shall be voluntary and parents have the right to refuse to have their children participate.

School districts shall develop written policies regarding their role in prevention of abuse and neglect.  They shall also participate in a prevention program.

Coordination among the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Community Development is mandated in collecting and disseminating information on existing prevention curricula.

Fiscal Note:      Requested April 7, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Human Services)  Senator Bailey, sponsor of original bill; Seth Dawson, Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney; Karen Tvedt, Department of Social and Health Services; and Kathy Friedt, Department of Community Development (supports concept of bill).

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Human Services)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Human Services)  Early primary prevention efforts are very needed in reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect.  Providing such education through the schools for preschool to grade twelve will assist in meeting this goal.  Such programs have proven to be cost-effective and of value to both society and potential victims.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Human Services)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.