HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     ESHB 1090

                              As Passed House

                             February 14, 1992

Title:  An act relating to early intervention services for infants and toddlers.

Brief Description:  Creating a statewide system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities or special needs.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Leonard, Ferguson, Pruitt, Holland, Rayburn, Prentice, Brekke, Appelwick, Anderson, Silver, Scott, R. Johnson, Wineberry, Inslee, Hargrove, Sprenkle, Dorn, Spanel, Dellwo, R. King, Winsley, Phillips, Riley, Haugen, Vance, Kremen, Rasmussen, Franklin, Basich, Jacobsen, Fraser, Broback, Edmondson, D. Sommers, Roland, Jones, Chandler, Ludwig, Mielke, Nelson, Miller, Wood, Cooper, Bray, Ogden and Morris).

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 18, 1991, DPS;

Appropriations, February 9, 1992, DPS(HS-A APP);

Passed House, February 14, 1992, 92-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1090 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Minority Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Beck; Brekke; Hargrove; Hochstatter; R. King; and H. Myers.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Human Services be substituted therefor and the substitute bill as amended by Committee on Appropriations do pass.  Signed by 24 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Inslee, Vice Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Morton, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Belcher; Bowman; Brekke; Carlson; Ebersole; Hine; Lisk; May; Mielke; Nealey; Peery; Pruitt; Rust; D. Sommers; H. Sommers; Valle; Vance; and Wang.

Staff:  John Woolley (786-7154).

Background:  The state provides a variety of services and support through five state agencies that offer opportunities for personal growth and development to persons who are developmentally disabled.  The developmental disability must be attributed to mental retardation or other similar conditions, must originate before the age of 18, must continue indefinitely and constitute a substantial handicap to the individual.

Presently, there is no statewide, comprehensive, coordinated system of early intervention and family support services for infants who are handicapped or are at risk for experiencing significant developmental problems.

The Birth-to-six Planning Project began as a planning project for zero-to-three infants in 1982.  Since that time, a combination of federal grants and state appropriations have continued the project.  Interagency coordination has been encouraged and the foundation of a statewide plan has been developed.

Summary of Bill:  The governor will appoint a birth-to-six interagency coordinating council involving all agencies serving infants and toddlers with disabilities.  The council will promote coordinated, collaborative planning and service delivery for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.  State and local agencies currently providing services to disabled infants and toddlers will enter into interagency agreements covering planning and service delivery issues.  The state interagency coordinating council will work with county early childhood interagency coordinating councils to address the needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Appropriation:  Removed.

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

Testimony For:  (Human Services):  Early intervention services for young children with disabilities, have a profound effect on their ability to reach their full potential.  Young children who do not receive these services have a very difficult time when they first enter the public school system.  It makes fiscal sense and is enlightened public policy to provide services as soon as disabilities are identified.

(Appropriations - in regards to the amendment as considered by Appropriations):  Studies show the value of birth to six services, in assisting families and in avoiding  developmental delays.  Since there is such a variety of agencies providing services, coordination is required; this amended bill will ensure continued emphasis on collaboration and coordination.

Testimony Against:  (Human Services):  The Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Health cannot support the legislation because they are not funded through the governor's budget request for the 1991-93 biennium.

(Appropriations):  None.

Witnesses:  (Human Services):  Joseph Bell, Department of Social and Health Services (con); Maxine Hayes, Department of Health (con); Michael Conn-Powers, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Sharon Hansen, Developmental Disabilities Planning Council; Judi Moore, Early Childhood Association of Washington;  Tammy Likoitz, State Interagency Coordinating Council; Cassie Johnston and Julia Bell, Wee Care Coalition; Mary Jo Wilcox, Assembly for Citizens with Disabilities; L. Mike Freeman, parent; Margaret Casey, Children's Alliance; Steve Lansing, Lutheran Public Policy Office; and Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society.

(Appropriations - in regards to the amendment as considered by Appropriations):  Mary Joe Wilcox and Julia Bell, (We Care Coalition); Michael Conn Powers, Office of Superintendent of Education; and Sandy Lurch, Department of Social and Health Services.