H-4560.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2900

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Lambert, Cooke, Clements, Buck, Benton, McMorris, Crouse, Koster, Delvin, Sherstad, D. Schmidt, Thompson, Hargrove, McMahan, Boldt, Cairnes, Carrell, Mulliken, Stevens, Hickel, Hymes, Goldsmith, Campbell, Smith and Johnson

Read first time 01/24/96.  Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

Ensuring the department of social and health services cannot take retribution on people who testify before committees or contact their representatives.

     AN ACT Relating to legislative oversight of the department of social and health services; adding new sections to chapter 43.20A RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that citizens of Washington state have the right to speak freely and to petition their government for redress of grievances and that government exists to ensure these rights.

     Therefore, citizens are entitled to express their opinions and appeal to their elected representatives regarding the actions of public entities as such actions affect themselves individually or as they impact the common good without the threat of potential acts of retribution.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:

     If a client of the department testifies before a legislative committee or contacts an elected representative on a matter relating to the department, the department shall not take as a result of the testimony or contact an act of retribution against the client that would adversely affect the client.

     An employee of the department who engages in an act of retribution against a client is subject to sanctions, including immediate dismissal.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:

     If a client of the department alleges that an act of retribution has been taken against the client as a result of the client's testimony or contact, an elected representative may investigate the allegations and must have access to the files of the client with the consent of the client.

     If a hearing on the matter is held by the legislature, the department shall fully cooperate with requests for information and shall appear before the hearing to answer questions.

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