SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5435

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, Reentry & Rehabilitation, January 23, 2019

Title: An act relating to expanding membership of the department of children, youth, and families oversight board to include two youth under the age of twenty-five.

Brief Description: Expanding membership of the department of children, youth, and families oversight board to include two youth under the age of twenty-five.

Sponsors: Senators Wilson, C., Darneille, Keiser, Kuderer and Saldaña.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation: 1/22/19, 1/23/19 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Expands the membership of the Department of Children, Youth and Families Oversight Board to include two youth under the age of twenty-five.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Darneille, Chair; Nguyen, Vice Chair; Walsh, Ranking Member; Cleveland, O'Ban, Wilson, C. and Zeiger.

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7488)

Background: In 2017, the Oversight Board for the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) was created with the purpose of monitoring and ensuring that DCYF achieves the stated Legislative outcomes and complies with administrative acts, relevant statutes, rules and policies pertaining to early learning, juvenile rehabilitation, juvenile justice, and children and family services.

Powers of the Oversight Board. The Oversight Board has the following powers:

The Oversight Board has the authority to review decisions made by the internal review process for reviewing child care facility licensing compliance agreements developed by DCYF that do not involve violations of health and safety standards nor overturn, change, or uphold those decisions.

The Oversight Board is required to issue an annual report to the Governor and Legislature by December 1st of each year, with an initial report delivered by December 1, 2019. The report must review DCYF's progress towards meeting stated performance measures and desired performance outcomes, and must also include a review of the department's strategic plan, policies, and rules.

Board Membership. The Senate members of the board are appointed by the leaders of the two major caucuses of the Senate. The House of Representative members of the board are appointed by the leaders of the two major caucuses of the House of Representatives. The remaining board members are nominated by the Governor, subject to the approval of the appointed legislators by majority vote, and serve four-year terms.

The Oversight Board is comprised of members with the following expertise or affiliations:

Summary of Bill: Two members are added to the Oversight Board: (1) one current or former foster youth representative, and (2) one person with current or former involvement in the juvenile rehabilitation administration. Both members must be under the age of twenty-five.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Oversight Board is unique both to DCYF and to state government. It is great to have biological/birth parent representation so it make sense to add foster youth. There is really no better person to oversee the performance of DCYF than one who has experienced the system first hand. It is imperative to add a youth perspective, someone with lived experience who really understands the disparities in the system. There will likely be a House bill that includes these provisions. One suggestion is to ensure that the youth experienced foster care in Washington.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Claire Wilson, Prime Sponsor; Laurie Lippold, Partners for Our Children; Johnathan Hemphill, The Mockingbird Society; Ryan Murrey, Executive Director, Washington State CASA.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.