HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1862

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                 Children & Family Services

Title:  An act relating to community‑based alternative response systems.

Brief Description:  Requiring a community‑based response system for certain families referred to child protective services.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cooke, Dickerson, Boldt and McDonald.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Children & Family Services:  2/21/97, 2/28/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Cooke, Chairman; Boldt, Vice Chairman; Bush, Vice Chairman; Tokuda, Ranking Minority Member; Kastama, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes; Carrell; Dickerson; Gombosky; McDonald and Wolfe.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) uses a risk assessment matrix for screening reports of child abuse and neglect.  The risk assessment matrix uses a five point scale for ranking reports.  A score of five is the most serious report; a score of one, the least important.  The department currently screens out reports with a score of three or lower.  Screened-out cases do not typically receive services from the department.  In some limited areas, the department does offer services to families that are screened-out.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The DSHS will create a community-based alternative response system for low-risk families who are screened-out by the risk assessment process.  Services will be provided through contracts with community-based organizations.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The DSHS is provided greater flexibility in determining which cases will be referred to a community alternative response program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1997.

Testimony For:  Other states have instituted alternative response systems for low-risk child abuse referrals and have reduced further abuse.  This is a cost-effective targeted prevention strategy.

Testimony Against:  None presented.

Testified:  Priscilla Martens, Behavioral Sciences Institute (pro); Seth Dawson, Common Ground for Children (pro); Elmira Forner, Catholic Community Services (pro); Alice Probert, Catholic Community Services (pro); and Janet Hedgepath, Catholic Community Services  (pro).