2752-S AMH KLIP FORR 228

SHB 2752 - H AMD  1240

By Representative Klippert

ADOPTED 2/16/2010

    On page 1, at the end of line 13, after "trust." Insert the following:

    "The legislature also finds that parents of runaway youth have an interest in knowing their sons and daughters are safe in a shelter, rather than on the streets without protection.  The legislature further finds that law enforcement and the department can notify a parent that the youth is safe, without disclosing the youth's location or compromising the ability of youth services providers to effectively assist youth in crisis."

    On page 2, line 9, after "shall" strike all material through "(c)" on line 17 and insert the following:

    ":

(i) within eight hours, notify the department or the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction in which the youth lives. Notice under this subsection (i) is for the limited purpose of communicating that the youth currently is safe and is off the streets, and shall not disclose the whereabouts of the youth, or the circumstances surrounding the youth's contact with the shelter or organization unless shelter staff have already provided such information to the youth's parent under subsection (ii) of this subsection; and

(ii) within not more than seventy-two hours, and preferably within twenty-four hours, notify the parent of the youth.  Notice under this subsection (ii) should include the whereabouts of the youth, a description of the youth's physical and emotional condition, and the circumstances surrounding the youth's contact with the shelter or organization.  If there are compelling reasons not to notify the parent, the shelter or organization shall instead provide the information to the department.

(c) When a local law enforcement agency or the department receives notice under subsection (b)(i) of this section, the agency or the department shall make a good faith effort to notify the youth's parent that the youth is currently safe and off the streets, but shall not disclose the whereabouts of the youth, if known to the agency or department.

(d)"

EFFECT:   Requires shelter staff to, in all cases, notify the department or law enforcement within 8 hours that the youth is currently safe and off the streets.  Requires the department or law enforcement agency receiving such a notice to promptly convey the information to the youth's parent, but does not allow the department or law enforcement to disclose the whereabouts of the youth, if known.  Requires shelter staff to notify the youth's parent within 72 hours, and preferably with 24 hours, with the youth's whereabouts, a description of the youth's physical and emotional condition, and the circumstances surrounding the youth's contact with the shelter or organization.  Authorizes shelter staff to provide the information to the department if there are compelling reasons not to notify the parent.   

--- END ---