AN
ACT Relating to a task force on funding for community-based services to victims
of crime; adding a new section to chapter 43.31 RCW; and providing an
expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. A
new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
There is created the Washington state task force on funding for community-based
services to victims of crime.
(2)
The task force shall consist of the following members:
(a)
The director of the office of community development, or the director's
designee;
(b)
The secretary of the department of social and health services, or the
secretary's designee;
(c)
The director of the department of labor and industries, or the director's
designee;
(d)
At least eleven, but not more than fifteen, additional members, selected by the
director of the office of community development, including: At least one
representative each of community-based organizations that focus on providing
services to homicide survivors, assault victims (other than sexual assault and
domestic violence), robbery victims, child abuse victims, and victims of drunk
and drugged drivers (vehicular assault and vehicular homicide); one
representative of organizations that provide services primarily to domestic
violence victims; one representative of organizations providing services
primarily to sexual assault victims; one representative of programs that
provide services to victims who are deaf, blind, or otherwise disabled; one
representative of organizations that provide services solely for victims to
whom English is a second language; one representative of victim service
programs administered by law enforcement agencies; and one representative of
victim/witness assistance programs administered by county prosecuting
attorneys;
(e)
Four legislators, two from the senate to be chosen by the president of the
senate and two from the house of representatives to be chosen by the speaker of
the house of representatives. Not more than one member from each chamber may
be a member of the largest political party caucus.
(3)
The task force shall be chaired by the director of the office of community development,
or the director's designee.
(4)
The task force shall carry out the following activities:
(a)
Measure and evaluate the progress of the state in providing funding to
community-based programs that provide services to victims of crime, especially
the underserved victim populations identified as: Homicide survivors, physical
assault victims (nondomestic violence and nonsexual assault related), robbery
victims, child abuse victims, vehicular assault and homicide victims and
survivors, and victims of property crimes;
(b)
Identify available federal, state, and local programs that provide services to
underserved victims as defined in (a) of this subsection;
(c)
Identify federal and private funds, including funds from foundations and other
nonprofit organizations, that may be available for community-based programs
that provide services to crime victims;
(d)
Make recommendations on methods to provide a cost-effective coordinated system
of support and assistance to persons who are victims of crime;
(e)
Make recommendations on funding necessary to provide appropriate services to
the underserved victims, with recommendations on revenue sources; and
(f)
Identify statutory and administrative barriers to improving the delivery of
cost-effective and coordinated services to crime victims.
(5)
State and local government agencies that participate in the delivery of
services to crime victims shall, upon request, provide information and
technical assistance to the task force, within existing funds.
(6)
The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor
and the legislature by November 30, 2002.
(7)
The office of community development shall provide necessary administrative and
clerical support to the task force.
(8)
The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be
reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(9)
The task force expires March 1, 2003.
(10) This section expires March 1, 2003.
