HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1745

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                 Children & Family Services

Title:  An act relating to competency examinations for children's services caseworkers.

Brief Description:  Requiring competency examinations for children's services caseworkers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Stevens, Boldt, Cooke, Koster, McMahan, Lambert, Pelesky, D. Schmidt, Hargrove, Benton, Backlund and Carrell.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Cooke, Chairman; Lambert, Vice Chairman; Stevens, Vice Chairman; Brown, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boldt; Buck; Carrell; Padden and Patterson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Thibaudeau, Ranking Minority Member; and Tokuda.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  Caseworkers employed in children's services are required to meet minimum standards set by the Department of Social and Health Services.  They also must complete training before being assigned cases without direct supervision.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Prior to being assigned cases, caseworkers must pass competency examinations.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The competency examination will be presented to legislative committees for their review and comment.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Caseworkers have tremendous power over families.  They must be well trained and competent.

Testimony Against:  Better oversight of caseworkers will improve their performance.

Testified:  Donna Becraft, Parents Educating Parents (con); Reverend Jerry and Brenda Ruland, J. & B. Ministries (con); Dee Litke (con); Thomas A. Sharkey (con); Rebecca Mustard, Parents Educating Parents (pro); Deni Mathiesen (pro); and Rita Drohman, citizen (pro).