Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services & Early Learning Committee

HB 1605

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.

Brief Description: Requiring traumatic brain injury screenings for children entering the foster care system.

Sponsors: Representatives Dent, Peterson, Griffey, Caldier, Goodman, Volz, Stanford, Lovick, Reeves, Klippert, Frame, Schmick, Harris, Appleton, Kretz, DeBolt, Cody, Macri, Orwall, Shea, Blake, Kloba, Doglio, Ortiz-Self, Eslick, Jinkins, Van Werven, Fey, Ormsby, Callan, Bergquist, Tarleton and Leavitt.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families include a traumatic brain injury screening in the evaluation conducted of all children within 30 days of being placed in out-of-home care.

Hearing Date: 2/12/19

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

Child Health and Education Tracking.

A Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET) screening is conducted by a Department of Children, Youth, and Families screener within 30 days of a child's placement in out-of-home care. This evaluation includes:

Following a CHET screen, the screener must make referrals to:

The screener must also provide the CHET screening report to caregivers and the assigned social worker within 5 days of completing the screen.

Traumatic Brain Injury.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. According to the CDC, everyone is at risk for a TBI, especially children and older adults.

Summary of Bill:

The DCYF must include a screening for traumatic brain injury in the CHET screening.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 8, 2019.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.