SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2070

                     AS OF APRIL 18, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying financial responsibility for juvenile offenders.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Patterson, Leonard, Brough, Shin and Karahalios)

BACKGROUND:

Current law allows juvenile courts to order a parent to pay a share of the cost of support, treatment, and confinement when a youth is adjudicated and sent to a residential program. 

Snohomish County is currently the only county requiring  parents, based on income, to provide support for youths in residential programs.  Court-ordered support payments typically range up to $300 per month.

SUMMARY:

All juvenile courts are required to order parents or legally obligated persons to pay for a share of the cost of residential programs, based on the Department of Social and Health Services reimbursement schedule.  Parents who receive adoption support payments will not be required to contribute to the cost of housing their adopted child.

The department is expected to establish a uniform policy for collection of fees and will develop a sliding fee reimbursement schedule based on income.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested