FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1115

                         C 237 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

 

Brief Description:  Allowing law enforcement agencies to have access to children's records in cases of reported child abuse and neglect.

 

By Representatives Riley, Mielke, R. Johnson, Jones, Brough, Van Luven and Karahalios.

 

House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

 

Background:  When a report of child abuse or neglect is made, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and local law enforcement agencies may initiate two separate, distinct investigations. If the report is made to DSHS, the department must in turn report to the appropriate law enforcement agency. If the report is made to a law enforcement agency, that agency is required to report the incident to DSHS. Often, information pertaining to child abuse must be secured from the school or medical facility that reported the incident. When the department investigates a case of reported abuse or neglect, it has access to all relevant records in the custody of the person reporting and the person's employers. Law enforcement agencies must request DSHS to share those records. This causes additional work for DSHS and a delay in the law enforcement investigation.

 

State law does not require DSHS to use a risk assessment process when conducting a child abuse or neglect investigation.

 

Summary:  Law enforcement agencies have access to all relevant records of reported child abuse or neglect in the custody of the persons reporting the abuse or neglect and their employers.  The department must use a risk assessment process in every child abuse or neglect investigation.

 

Votes on Final Passage:

 

House  94 0

Senate 46 0 (Senate amended)

House  95 0 (House concurred)

 

Effective:  July 25, 1993