FINAL BILL REPORT

                     SHB 1054

                                 C 111 L 91

                            Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for reports of abuse of children or adult dependent or developmentally disabled persons.

By House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Leonard, Winsley, Riley, Orr, R. King and Sheldon; by request of Dept. of Social and Health Services).

House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Background:  There is confusion concerning the duty of health care practitioners, professional school personnel, or other professionals in social services or related fields, to report the incidence of abuse on a legally competent adult when the abuse occurred before the adult turned 18 years of age.

During the 1987 session, the statute which establishes a central registry of child abuse, or abuse of an adult dependent or developmentally disabled person, was amended twice.  The original statute was also repealed; however, inadvertently, the two amendments were not repealed and remain in Washington law.  The Division of Family and Youth Services has not used the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect since January, 1988.

Summary:  Mandatory abuse reporting requirements apply only to instances related to persons who are currently children, developmentally disabled, or adult dependents.  Reports of abuse or neglect will include the identity of the accused, if known.

Statutory references to the central registry of child abuse and neglect are repealed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 98    0

Senate   45    0     (Senate amended)

House 96    0     (House concurred)

Effective:     July 28, 1991