SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1832
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, Mental Health & Housing, March 22, 2017
Title: An act relating to the commercially sexually exploited children statewide coordinating committee.
Brief Description: Concerning the commercially sexually exploited children statewide coordinating committee.
Sponsors: Representatives Pellicciotti, Irwin, Lovick, Ormsby and Ortiz-Self.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/02/17, 98-0.
Committee Activity: Human Services, Mental Health & Housing: 3/20/17, 3/22/17 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH & HOUSING |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Hunt, Padden and Walsh.
Staff: Kevin Black (786-7747)
Background: The Committee was established in 2013 and extended in 2015 to address the issue of children who are commercially sexually exploited, to examine the practices of local and regional entities involved in addressing sexually exploited children, and to make recommendations on statewide laws and practices. The Committee must meet at least annually.
The Committee is convened by the Office of the Attorney General with administrative support from the Department of Commerce. The Committee includes membership from each caucus of the Legislature and at least 23 other members including representatives of the Offices of the Governor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and various other government organizations and advocacy groups related to commercial sexual exploitation of children and human trafficking.
The duties of the Committee include, but are not limited to:
overseeing and reviewing the implementation of the Washington State Model Protocol for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children;
receiving reports and data from local and regional entities regarding the incidence of commercially sexually exploited children in their areas;
reviewing recommendations from local and regional entities regarding policy changes that would improve the effectiveness of local response practices; and
making recommendations regarding data collection and strategic local investments to address the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
In 2015, the Legislature assigned additional duties to the Committee related to reviewing implementation of ESSB 6746, which was legislation enacted in 2010 that made a number of changes to address issues related to commercially sexually exploited children. The Committee was required to report its findings regarding this review to the Legislature by February 1, 2016.
The Committee expires on June 30, 2017, and must report its findings by that date to the appropriate committees of the Legislature and to any other known statewide committees addressing trafficking or the commercial sex trade.
Summary of Bill: The expiration date of the law authorizing the Committee is extended from June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2023. The Committee is required to annually report findings and recommendations related to its work to the appropriate committees of the Legislature.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: Yes.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This Committee expires in June. We were contacted by members of the Committee in the hope that it can be reauthorized. The Committee is part of the model state protocol on sexually exploited children. Private money was raised to support this project, with over 200 people providing input for the development of the protocol. There are now taskforces in 14 different counties. The Committee hears reports from the regional taskforces, and has made a number of reports to the Legislature. Policy makers can feel confidence that resources are being allocated in the right place to support children. The Office of the Attorney General supports this taskforce within its budget appropriation. This is a priority for the Attorney General. We have applied for federal funding which would augment the work of this committee.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Pellicciotti, prime sponsor; Bobbe Bridge, Center for Children & Youth Justice; Farshad Talebi, Office of the Attorney General.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.