HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5830
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House - Amended:
April 6, 2007
Title: An act relating to home visitation services for families.
Brief Description: Providing home visitation services for families.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, Brown, Rasmussen, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe and Shin).
Brief History:
Early Learning & Children's Services: 3/20/07, 3/23/07 [DPA];
Appropriations: 3/31/07 [DPA(ELCS)].
Floor Activity:
Passed House - Amended: 4/6/07, 95-2.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by House) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Haler, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Hinkle, Pettigrew and Roberts.
Staff: Chris Alejano (786-7115).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended by Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services. Signed by 29 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist and P. Sullivan.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Anderson and Dunn.
Staff: Owen Rowe (786-7391).
Background:
Home visitation programs deliver services in the home to parents and children and aim to
alleviate the effects various family risk factors have on child development. Home visitation
programs share a focus on the importance of children's early years, the pivotal role parents
play in shaping children's lives, and the belief that one of the best ways to reach families with
young children is by bringing the services to them, rather than expecting those families to
seek assistance in the community. Offering the services in the home eliminates barriers such
as transportation and time and provides a more personalized experience by allowing families
to interact in a comfortable and natural environment. Current research provides significant
evidence of the effectiveness of home visitation programs as an early intervention strategy.
The Legislature created the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and
Neglect (WCPCAN) and the Children's Trust Fund in 1982. The WCPCAN is a 14-member,
Governor appointed council legislated to promote prevention of child abuse and neglect, and
to encourage and support effective community prevention efforts.
In 1993, the Legislature enacted HB 1991 authorizing the five agencies comprising the
Family Policy Council (the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health
Services, the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, the Office of
the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Department of Employment Security) to
develop a program plan for the Home Health Visitor Program for the purpose of preventing
child abuse and neglect. Due to funding constraints and other limitations, however, no
coordinated program of home visitation services was implemented.
Summary of Amended Bill:
Definitions for the terms evidence-based, home visitation, and research-based are created.
Within available funds, the Children's Trust of Washington is granted authority to fund
evidence-based and research-based home visitation programs designed to improve parenting
skills and outcomes for children. The home visitation programs must be voluntary and be
directed to serve families at high risk. The Children's Trust of Washington shall develop a
plan with the Department of Social and Health Services, the Department of Health, the
Department of Early Learning, and the Family Policy Council to coordinate or consolidate
home visitation services for children and families and report to the appropriate committees of
the Legislature by December 1, 2007, with their recommendations for implementation of the
plan.
The Home Visitor Program in the Department of Health statute is repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Early Learning & Children's Services)
(In support) Having home visitation services available for families, particularly low-income
families and families with limited English proficiency, is really important. The home
visitation programs are voluntary.
Parents As Teachers has always paralleled their programs with First Steps serving high-risk
women and children, prenatal up to age 3. Home visitors support parents and educate them
about their child's developmental milestones. Thus far the program has been funded by
grants but hopes to have more sustainable funding.
The WCPCAN has a 25-year history of investing in a variety of home visitation and parent
education programs that are voluntary and support parents. Home visitations have a variety
of target outcomes including preventing child abuse and neglect, parent-child bond, school
readiness, child health, knowledge of child development, and early detection of
developmental delays.
(Opposed) None.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations)
(In support) This is a crime prevention bill. The research is extremely clear that evidence-based intensive home visitation programs for at-risk children and families increases the
likelihood that children will enter kindergarten with the social and emotional skills needed to
succeed in school. These services decrease the likelihood that children will engage in crime
and violence later in their lives.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (Early Learning & Children's Services) Senator Kauffman, prime sponsor; Laura Wells, Fight Crime: Invest in Youth; Chief Sam Granato, City of Yakima, Police Department; Linda Clark and Mary Brown, Providence Sound Home Care Maternal Child Health; Dr. Jill Sells, Docs for Tots; Kristen Rogers, Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; and Kathy Zeisel, Parents as Teachers and Parent Trust for Washington Children.
Persons Testifying: (Appropriations) Laura Wells, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; and Kristen Rogers, Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.