Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Appropriations Committee

HB 2704

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 Summary of Bill

Creates a competitive grant program for Community Sexual Assault Programs (CSAPs) to provide group counseling in common schools for youth survivors of sexual assault.
Requires the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) in the Department of Commerce to develop and administer the grant program.
Requires OCVA to submit a report on the grant program to the Governor and appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1 of each year.

Background:

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) in the Department of Commerce (Department) administers the state’s Sexual Assault Program. Under the Sexual Assault Program, the OCVA oversees the distribution of the Sexual Assault Services Funding Formula (funding formula), which allocates state and federal funding to sexual assault service providers for a range of services. The funding sources for the funding formula are the State General Fund and federal Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance moneys.

Community Sexual Assault Programs (CSAPs) are accredited sexual assault service providers that provide a set of core sexual assault services to a specific region of the state. Each county is served by at least one CSAP. The Department oversees CSAP accreditation, which includes setting accreditation standards, and confirming that CSAPs provide required core services and undergo a regular independent review process. Required core services are: information, referral, and awareness; crisis intervention; general advocacy; legal advocacy; medical advocacy; and system coordination. Community Sexual Assault Programs may also, but are not required to, provide primary prevention services.

Funding for core services is distributed to CSAPs on a regional basis through the funding formula. Funding for core services is distributed on a regional basis. Each region receives a base allocation, with additional funding provided based on the region’s overall population and the number of clients served in the region. The region’s total allocation is then distributed among all CSAPs that serve that region.

Community Sexual Assault Programs may be eligible to receive additional funding distributed through the funding formula if they offer specialized services, such as therapeutic services and support groups, or serve underserved populations. Community Sexual Assault Programs may also receive other federal funds distributed by the OCVA for sexual assault services.

Summary of Bill:

Subject to the availability of state funding, the OCVA must administer a competitive grant program for CSAPs to provide group counseling in common schools for youth survivors of sexual assault. Grant recipients must be an accredited CSAP, have prior experience providing group counseling to youth, and have established or be willing to establish a committed partnership with one or more common schools. The grant awards are supplemental to other funding provided to CSAPs through OVCA programs, including the funding formula.

The OCVA is required to submit an annual report on the grant program, including a summary of selected grant recipients, schools served, and services provided, to the Governor and appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1 of each year.