HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1914

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                 Children & Family Services

Title:  An act relating to child abuse and neglect.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to child abuse and neglect.

Sponsors:  Representative Stevens.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Children & Family Services:  2/21/95, 2/28/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Cooke, Chairman; Lambert, Vice Chairman; Stevens, Vice Chairman; Boldt; Buck; Carrell and Padden.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Thibaudeau, Ranking Minority Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Patterson and Tokuda.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  People who have physically or sexually abused a child and have been removed from the family home by an order of the court are required to complete treatment and education before they can again reside in the family home. 

Summary of Bill:  An adult removed from the home and ordered to undergo treatment and education does not have to admit to any facts in order to successfully complete the treatment and education requirements unless they have been convicted of a crime related to the acts of abuse.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  If a person is not convicted of a crime related to child abuse or neglect they should not have to admit to abusing or neglecting their child in a therapy session. 

Testimony Against:  A court finding of child abuse or neglect does not require that a person be convicted of a crime.  If a person abuses or neglects their child and does not admit to it in treatment they may be more likely to abuse a child again.

Testified:  Dee Litke (pro); Becky Mustard, Parents Educating Parents (pro); Reverend Jerry and Brenda Ruland, J.&B. Ministries (pro); Donna Becraft, Parents Educating Parents (pro); Debbie Ruggles, Washington  Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (con); Deni Mathiesen (pro); and Rita Drohman, citizen (pro).