HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESSB 6174

                       As Passed House

                        March 3, 1992

Title:  An act relating to family members of homicide victims.

Brief Description:  Providing for counseling of family members of homicide victims.

Sponsor(s):  By Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson, Rasmussen, Thorsness, Erwin, Bailey and Jesernig).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Appropriations, February 24, 1992, DP;

Passed House, March 3, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 22 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Morton, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Belcher; Bowman; Brekke; Carlson; Dorn; Ferguson; May; Mielke; Nealey; Peery; Rust; D. Sommers; H. Sommers; Valle; Vance; Wang; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Wayne Kawakami (786-7384).

Background:  In addition to other benefits provided under the Crime Victims' Compensation Program, sexual assault victims are entitled to receive appropriate counseling.  Fees for such counseling are determined by Department of Labor and Industries provisions.  Counseling services may include, if determined appropriate by the department, counseling for members of the victim's immediate family, other than the perpetrator of the assault.

It is recommended that similar counseling services be afforded the families of homicide victims. 

Summary of Bill:  The bill provides that immediate family members of a homicide victim may receive counseling to deal with the immediate, near-term consequences of the related effects of the homicide. 

Fees for counseling are to be determined by Department of Labor and Industries provisions relating to medical care and treatment.  The counseling fees are subject to the limitations consistent with the sexual assault counseling fees.  Payment of counseling benefits may not be provided to the perpetrator of the homicide. 

The benefits may be provided only with respect to homicides committed on or after July 1, 1992.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.