SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5692

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, March 4, 2003

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

Brief Description: Establishing a 211 network.

Sponsors: Senators Carlson, Hargrove, Esser, Parlette, Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 2/25/03, 3/4/03 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5692 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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 Substitute 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 24, 2003.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2003.

Testimony For: Emphasis was given to the importance of having one phone number for citizens to call when in need of services from the state.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Dennis Smith, Washington Information Network (WIN 211); Tom Page, WIN 211; Dave Dittemore, Wash. Util. and Transp. Comm.; Ed Hidano, DSHS.