SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2559

                    As of February 12, 1998

Title:  An act relating to care for children with developmental disabilities provided by the department of social and health services in the division of developmental disabilities.

Brief Description:  Redistributing responsibilities for care for children with developmental disabilities provided by the department of social and health services in the division of developmental disabilities.

Sponsors:  Representatives Delvin, Tokuda, Cooke, O'Brien and Mitchell; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/18/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Joan K. Mell (786-7447)

Background:  In the 1997 legislative session, a bill (E2SSB 5710) passed that contained a provision requiring all services to developmentally disabled children to be consolidated into the Division of Developmental Disabilities.  The consolidation concept was based upon a management report on the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) suggesting cases could be more efficiently handled within the Division of Developmental Disabilities.  

This provision was vetoed by the Governor.  The Governor's veto letter in conjunction with the veto directed DSHS to begin planning for the transfer and requested the Legislature grant DSHS necessary budget transfer authority this session to effect the transfer.

Summary of Bill:  All cases of preventive home-based and out-of-home care provided to children with developmental disabilities are consolidated into the Division of Developmental Disabilities of DSHS, except cases where services are necessitated by issues of abuse and neglect, and cases where a child's permanency plan recommends adoption.  Children's Administration continues to provide services to abused or neglected developmentally disabled children.

This consolidation and transfer occurs no later than July 1, 1998, and the levels and types of services presently available should not be affected.

Out-of-home care and preventive services are defined and added to the type of services offered.  AOut-of-home services@ means essentially care by someone other than the parent.  APreventive services@ means essentially services provided in home to prevent the need for taking the child out of the home.

Collection action provisions are eliminated as they relate to parents of children with developmental disabilities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.