HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1616

Title:  An act relating to healthy children and families.

Brief Description:  Enabling the maternity care access system to continue services to some families until the child's third birthday.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cooke, Tokuda, Dyer, Cody, Sheahan, Regala, Talcott, Skinner, Murray, Carrell, Gombosky, Ogden, Carlson, Dickerson, Wood, Conway, Anderson, Costa, Cooper, Butler, Cole and O'Brien.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Meeting Date:  February 13, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  David Knutson  (786-7146).

Background:  The First Steps program provides maternity care services to low-income, at-risk mothers during prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods.  Assistance to the mother and baby end six weeks after birth, except for some limited case management.  Babies served through the First Steps program are not eligible to continue receiving support after their first six weeks of life, even if they are identified as at-risk.

Summary of Bill:  The First Steps program will provide services to eligible mothers and their children up to the child=s third birthday.  Coverage for older children will be phased in over a three-year period.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 11, 1997.

Effective Date:  July 1, 1997.