FINAL BILL REPORT

                                  E2SSB 5025

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 364 L 91

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Providing services for at‑risk youth and their families.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Craswell, Owen, Bailey, L. Smith, Roach, Stratton and Oke).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

BACKGROUND:

In 1977 the Legislature enacted the "Juvenile Justice Act" and subsequently passed the "Runaway Youth Act."  The "Runaway Youth Act" was repealed in 1979 and replaced by the Procedures for Families in Conflict chapter. 

Family Reconciliation Services was created under this chapter to provide services to runaways and to children in conflict with their families.  These services are to be provided at the request of the family or in conjunction with an alternative residential placement (ARP) petition.

The Department of Social and Health Services, a parent or the child may file an ARP petition.  If the child agrees to be placed outside of his or her home and a placement is available, the child is placed. 

Crisis Residential Centers (CRCs) were also created under the Families in Conflict chapter.  CRCs were intended to be short term placements for no longer than 72 hours, during which the CRC staff works with the family to avoid further out-of-home placement. 

In 1990 the Families in Conflict chapter was renamed the Family Reconciliation Act and a provision was added allowing petitioning of the courts on behalf of at-risk youth.

Many persons who work with at-risk youth and their families have identified the lack of services requested by the youth or family as a roadblock to successfully reuniting the family.  Others question the viability of some of the publicly funded services, feel needed service alternatives are not available, and believe an evaluation of current programs is warranted.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is directed to evaluate and make recommendations on the Family Reconciliation Services program.  The Behavioral Sciences Institute Homebuilders Intensive In-Home Counseling program is expanded. 

The Office of the Administrator of the Courts is requested to develop a curriculum on at-risk youth for superior court judges and court personnel.  DSHS is directed to produce a videotape on at-risk youth for a variety of public agencies and the public.

Within available funds, substance abuse evaluations shall be made available to minors upon a parent's request.  The same provisions are made for evaluations for mental illness.  Costs for involuntary commitment of minors for substance abuse shall be paid from existing funds.

Definitions for a "minor" and a "person" are incorporated into current law dealing with treatment for alcoholism, intoxication and drug addiction.  Involuntary commitment of minors for drug addiction in addition to alcoholism is provided.  The relationship of treatment needs based upon evaluation is clarified to assure minors are treated appropriately.  The reference to children in CRCs being removed for seriously assaultive or seriously destructive behavior is stricken and replaced with language referring to a condition in which a child who has taken unauthorized leave and the CRC cannot assure the child will not leave again.

Involuntary commitment may not be used as a disposition for an at-risk youth.

The proposed study as well as the expansion of Family Reconciliation Services, Homebuilders, a pilot project and the continuing education seminar for court officials are contingent on funding being provided in the state budget.

Each section of the act must comply with federal requirements for federal funding.  A conflicting part shall be inoperable with respect to the agency affected.  Rules drawn to this act shall also comply with federal funding requirements.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      40    1

House 95    0    (House amended)

Senate                  (Senate refused to concur)

House 97    0    (House amended)

Senate      20    20    (Failed)

Senate                  (Senate reconsidered; concurred in part)

House 90    0    (House amended)

Senate      47    0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:  July 28, 1991

Partial Veto Summary:  The requirement to increase Family Reconciliation Services to serve an additional 1,000 families per year is removed.  The requirement to increase the Behavioral Sciences Institute Homebuilders program to serve an additional 126 youth and families per year is removed.  (See VETO MESSAGE)