HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5841

                       As Passed House

                        April 8, 1993

Title:  An act relating to shaken baby syndrome.

Brief Description:  Requiring an outreach campaign on shaken baby syndrome.

Sponsors:  Senators Moyer, Prentice, Talmadge, Quigley, Prince, Hochstatter, McAuliffe, Erwin, West, Sheldon and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, March 25, 1993, DP;

Passed House, April 8, 1993, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Riley, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Karahalios; Lisk; Padden; Patterson; and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when infants and very young children are vigorously shaken by care givers.  Often, the care givers do not realize that an infant's brain and spinal cord is vulnerable to serious injury or death.  Medical effects of Shaken Baby Syndrome can include brain damage, blindness, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, spinal cord injury, seizures or learning disabilities.  It is believed that non-malicious but injurious shaking of infants can be prevented by improved public education and awareness.

Summary of Bill: A public information and communication outreach program regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome is established by providing information on prevention to parents of newborns upon discharge from a hospital or midwife-assisted birth.

The Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect provides brochures on Shaken Baby Syndrome and, within available funds, may also provide information through the use of hotlines, electronic media and existing parenting education programs.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  A public education campaign could reduce the incidence of Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Beverly Jacobson, Seattle Area Hospital Council; and Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society.