FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2531

                          C 10 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Adding the secretary of health to the council for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Patterson, Talcott, Tokuda, Cooke, Ogden, Dickerson and Basich).

House Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Background:  The Council on Child Abuse and Neglect was formed in 1982 to assist private and public agencies in establishing community-based educational and service programs for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.  The council is composed of 13 members:  the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (or the secretary's designee), the Superintendent of Public Instruction (or the superintendent's designee), four members of the Legislature (designated as non-voting members), and six citizens who have an interest or an expertise in child abuse prevention (four of whom may not be affiliated with governmental agencies).

The council funds and administers several community-based programs, including a early parenting skills program, a shaken baby syndrome public education campaign, and a program to reduce child abuse.  The council contracts with non-profit organizations, schools, and individuals to carry out these programs.

Council members are compensated up to $50 a day for work related to the council's duties and are reimbursed for travel expenses.

Summary:  The Secretary of the Department of Health, or the secretary's designee, is added as a voting member to the Council on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     96 0

Senate    47 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996