SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5494

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 February 5, 2020

Title: An act relating to the baby court initiative.

Brief Description: Concerning the baby court initiative.

Sponsors: Senators Zeiger, Darneille, Walsh and Nguyen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation: 2/05/19, 2/07/19 [DPS-WM]; 2/05/20.

Brief Summary of Proposed Second Substitute Bill

  • Creates a process for applying for grant funds to support baby courts in two superior courts that serve both rural and urban populations by January 1, 2021 through the Administrative Office of the Courts' (AOC) Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Grant Program (grant program).

  • Defines "baby court" as a therapeutic court that provides an intensive court process for families with a child under age three who has been found dependent.

  • Establishes the duties of a baby court.

  • Requires AOC to collect outcome data on baby courts, and submit an annual report to the fiscal committees of the Legislature beginning December 1, 2022.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5494 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Staff: Kelsey-anne Fung (786-7479)

Background: In 2008, the Legislature created the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement grant program. The purpose of the program is to assist superior courts in improving their family and juvenile court systems, especially in dependency cases, with the goals of:

Therapeutic court means a court utilizing programs structured to achieve both a reduction in recidivism and an increase in the likelihood of rehabilitation, or to reduce child abuse and neglect, out-of-home placements of children, termination of parental rights, and substance abuse and mental health symptoms among parents or guardians and their children through continuous and intense judicially supervised treatment and the appropriate use of services, sanctions, and incentives.

Dependent child means any child who:

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

Summary of Bill (Proposed Second Substitute): A baby court is defined as a therapeutic court that provides an intensive court process for families with a child under age three who has been found dependent.

To be eligible for baby court, the parent must have a child under age three that is dependent at the time the case enters the court process. The case may remain in baby court after the child is age three or older if the child is still dependent.

The AOC's grant program must:

Grant funds for the baby court shall be supplemental to any existing grant program funds.

A superior court that establishes a baby court must:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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 on Original Bill (Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation) (Regular Session 2019): The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This is a bill that would expand the work of current therapeutic courts/baby courts. Pierce County has shown some success with their current baby court and this would provide grants to two counties to start their own baby court.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Hans Zeiger, Prime Sponsor.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Second Substitute: PRO: Baby court initiative has been operating in Pierce County Superior Court for three years and it has been a success. The data shows that children are reunited with their parents within one year. The baby court limits the docket to 20 cases, and the same lawyers, social workers, and judge stay on the case from beginning to end. This is an opportunity for the Legislature to fund a program that will get kids to their forever home, even if it is not with the parents. Having the cooperation and partnership with the foster parents make a huge difference.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Hans Zeiger, Prime Sponsor; John Hickman, Retired Superior Court Judge; Sara Slas, baby court.

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