BILL REQ. #:  H-1964.1 

Read first time 02/22/2005.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to the safety of child protective services and child welfare services staff; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect and support families are dependent upon the efforts of staff in the field who work directly with the children and families of this state. Child protective services staff investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect and, when necessary, intervene by providing services designed to increase children's safety and protect them from further harm. Child welfare services staff provide longer-term services to families, including intensive treatment services to children and families who may need help with chronic or serious problems that interfere with their ability to protect or parent children.
     The legislature determines that in order to perform their work, the safety of child protective services and child welfare services staff must be addressed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The department of social and health services shall establish a work group to develop policies and protocols to address the safety of child protective services and child welfare services staff.
     (2) Membership of the work group shall include the following: Representatives of the children's administration of the department of social and health services, including representatives of child protective services staff and child welfare services staff; law enforcement; and prosecuting attorneys.
     (3) The department of social and health services shall provide the developed policies and protocols to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2005.