SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5653

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 16, 1995

Title:  An act relating to investigations of public assistance fraud.

Brief Description:  Transferring functions of the certified criminal justice agency within the department of social and health services to the office of the attorney general.

Sponsors:  Senators Gaspard, McDonald, Smith, Oke, Wojahn, Winsley, Fraser, McAuliffe, Loveland, Kohl, Spanel, Franklin, Snyder, Drew, Haugen, Hargrove, Bauer and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  2/10/95, 2/16/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5653 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Quigley, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; C. Anderson, Deccio, Fairley, Franklin, Moyer, Winsley and Wood.

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (786-7472)

Background:  There is increasing concern about the state's ability to efficiently investigate public assistance fraud.  Some believe that placing investigative responsibility outside of the Department of Social and Health Services would promote independence and increase effectiveness.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Statutory responsibility for investigation of public assistance fraud is transferred from the Department of Social and Health Services to the Office of the Attorney General.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The implementation date is delayed until January 1, 1996.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 30, 1995.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect January 1, 1996.

Testimony For:  Independence of the welfare investigative unit is essential to program integrity.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Gaspard; Kathleen Mix, Greg Canova, Attorney General's Office; Jean Soliz, DSHS.