SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1787

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to health and human services and information referral.

Brief Description: Establishing a 211 network.

Sponsors: House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Pettigrew, Boldt, Moeller, Miloscia, Jarrett, Priest, Dickerson and Santos).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 4/2/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Tony Rugel (786-7754)

Background: 2-1-1 networks existing in several other states provide a single phone number for people to use to access health and human services and disaster related information. It is felt that 2-1-1 networks can provide a more efficient, cost-effective, and simple way of providing people with information about government services.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Social and Health Services and the Washington Information Network 2-1-1 (WIN 2-1-1) work in conjunction to establish and maintain a network consisting of call centers and a statewide resource data base. A 2-1-1 account is created in the state treasury from public and private funds and is used for granting purposes to develop, operate, and maintain the network.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2003.

Testimony For: There is general support for the bill.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Remy Trupin, United Way of King County.