Brief Description: Revising the fee for birth certificates suitable for display.

Sponsors: By Representatives Schual-Berke, Nixon and Chase; by request of Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Allows the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect to establish the fee for heirloom birth certificates at a level likely to maximize revenues for the Children's Trust Fund.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Fromhold, Vice Chair; Sehlin, Ranking Minority Member; Pearson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Anderson, Boldt, Buck, Chandler, Clements, Cody, Conway, Cox, Dunshee, Grant, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Ruderman, Schual-Berke, Sump and Talcott.

The Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Council) was established, along with the Children's Trust Fund, by the Governor in 1982. The Council works to prevent child abuse and neglect by supporting prevention efforts at the community level. The Council is made up of 14 members appointed by the Governor, representing state agencies, the Legislature, and members of the community.

The Council receives a portion of its funding from the Children's Trust Fund. Revenues into the Children's Trust Fund are generated by a fee of $25 for heirloom birth certificates. Heirloom birth certificates have the same status as an original birth certificate and are printed on 8 1/2" x 14" paper with the individual's name, date and place of birth, and names and places of birth of the parent(s). These birth certificates are printed in full color and signed by the Governor. The Council markets them as gifts appropriate for baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions.

Heirloom birth certificates are only available from the Department of Health, which estimates that it issues 400 each year.

The bill eliminates the cap of $25 on the fee for heirloom birth certificates. The Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect will establish the fee for heirloom birth certificates at a level likely to maximize revenues for the Children's Trust Fund.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The heirloom birth certificate program has been in place for almost 20 years. The price of this consumer product has not been raised during that time. The equivalent cost, adjusted for inflation, for a $25 certificate when the program was established in the 1980s would be closer to $40 now. Pricing flexibility is critical to maintaining a compelling program in the marketplace. An heirloom birth certificate is a legal birth certificate that is completely optional to potential purchasers.

Persons Testifying: Joan Sharp, Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect