H-2398.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1862

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooke, Dickerson, Boldt and McDonald)

Read first time 03/04/97.

Requiring a community-based response system for certain families referred to child protective services.

    AN ACT Relating to community-based alternative response systems; adding a new section to chapter 26.44 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 26.44 RCW to read as follows:

    The department shall create a community-based alternative response system for families referred to child protective services who are identified as low-risk cases.  The system shall assess family needs and strengths, and arrange services for eligible families.  Services provided through the system shall be contracted for with community‑based organizations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 1997, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1997.

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