SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5161

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 of January 29, 2019

Title: An act relating to creation of a certified child safety policy.

Brief Description: Concerning creation of a certified child safety policy.

Sponsors: Senators Dhingra, Wellman, Das, Keiser, Palumbo, Wilson, C., McCoy, Liias and Nguyen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation: 1/30/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Department of Health to contract with a nongovernmental organization to develop a certified child safety policy (CCSP) for youth recreational organizations.

  • Establishes a five-county pilot program for local government youth recreational organizations in that region to establish and implement a certified child safety policy by December 1, 2020.

  • Requires a report on the pilot program and recommendations regarding implementing the CCSP in all youth recreational organizations statewide to the Legislature by December 15, 2020 .

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7488)

Background: Sexual Abuse Prevention Guidance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published guidance for youth-serving organizations to use when developing policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse. CDC guidance to organizations offer key components for preventing child sexual abuse including:

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): The Department of Health (DOH) must select and contract with a nongovernmental organization (contractor) with experience reducing the likelihood of child sexual assault to develop a CCSP for youth recreational organizations. Youth recreational organizations include any organization providing recreational programs to individuals under the age of eighteen, including private and local government organizations.

CCSP means a policy put in place by a child safety certification provider, meeting the minimum standards developed by the child safety certification provider based on:

Youth recreational organizations means any organization providing recreational programming to individuals under age eighteen, including private and local government organizations, and any organization contracting with a local government organization for youth recreational programming.

The CCSP minimum standards must be available on the DOH website by January 1, 2020. All youth recreational organizations are encouraged to work with the contractor to establish a CCSP.

Beginning July 1, 2020, DOH must select a five-county pilot region in which to certify all local government youth recreational organizations. The pilot region must consist of five contiguous counties with a combined population between 1.2 million and 1.3 million residents. DOH must collaborate with the contractor to ensure all local government youth recreational organizations in the pilot region have established and implemented a CCSP by December 1, 2020.

By December 15, 2020, DOH must report to the Legislature on the pilot program, the CCSP requirements, and recommendations regarding implementing the CCSP in all youth recreation organizations statewide. DOH must also consult with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to develop and include in the report recommendations for modifying and implementing a CCSP appropriate for child care providers.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2019.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.