FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1035

                         C 204 L 95

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring the attorney general to convene a death investigation if a death occurs in a residential facility operated or under the control of the department of social and health services.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Thibaudeau, Morris, Scott, Tokuda, Costa, Mason, Brown, Ogden, Basich, Wolfe, Patterson and Chopp).

House Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services provides residential care directly to clients in institutions that serve people with developmental disabilities, the mentally ill, juvenile offenders, and other populations.  The department also pays for the residential care of individuals in a wide variety of licensed and contracted facilities.  When a death occurs in one of these residential settings, an investigation may be conducted by the department, the county coroner or medical examiner, the local health department in the case of child mortality reviews, or all three.

Summary:  The Department of Health, in conjunction with the Department of Social and Health Services, local health departments, coroners, medical examiners and others will develop a consistent process for reviewing unexpected deaths of children receiving services through the Department of Social and Health Services.  The Department of Health is directed to report its recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 1995.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     96 0

Senate    46 0 (Senate amended)

House     89 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 23, 1995