HB 1472-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Directs the secretary of the department of social and health services to convene an advisory committee to analyze and make recommendations on the disproportionate representation of children of color in Washington's child welfare system. The department shall collaborate with the Washington institute for public policy and private sector entities to develop a methodology for the advisory committee to follow in conducting a baseline analysis of data from the child welfare system to determine whether racial disproportionality and racial disparity exist in this system. The Washington institute for public policy shall serve as technical staff for the advisory committee. In determining whether racial disproportionality or racial disparity exists, the committee shall utilize existing research and evaluations conducted within Washington state, nationally, and in other states and localities that have similarly analyzed the prevalence of racial disproportionality and disparity in child welfare.

Provides that, at a minimum, the advisory committee shall examine and analyze: (1) The level of involvement of children of color at each stage in the state's child welfare system, including the points of entry and exit, and each point at which a treatment decision is made;

(2) The number of children of color in low-income or single-parent families involved in the state's child welfare system;

(3) The family structures of families involved in the state's child welfare system; and

(4) The outcomes for children in the existing child welfare system. This analysis shall be disaggregated by racial and ethnic group, and by geographic region.

Requires that, not later than January 1, 2008, the secretary shall report the results of the analysis conducted under this act and shall describe the remediation plan required under this act to the appropriate committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over policy and fiscal matters relating to children, families, and human services. Beginning January 1, 2010, the secretary shall report annually to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the implementation of the remediation plan, including any measurable progress made in reducing and eliminating racial disproportionality and disparity in the state's child welfare system.