FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 2752

C 229 L 10

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying provisions relating to providing shelter to a minor.

Sponsors: House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Orwall, Walsh, Goodman, Kagi, Roberts, Pedersen, Green, Santos and Nelson).

House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Background:

Any person providing shelter to a minor who knows the youth is absent from home without parental permission is required to notify the youth's parent, law enforcement, or the Department of Social and Health Services within eight hours of becoming aware that the youth is away from home without permission.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) maintains data files to assist local law enforcement agencies. These files contain information relating to stolen and wanted vehicles; outstanding warrants, children who have been reported as runaways, and stolen property.

Summary:

Legislative findings are made regarding: the desire to better serve youth by protecting them from the dangers of being on the street, and the risks of predators seeking to capitalize on the vulnerability of youth; and the desire to notify parents that youth are safe and off the streets even though the youth may not be ready to begin the conflict resolution process with parents.

At the request of a parent or other legal custodian or guardian, and if there is no cost to do so, the WSP must make information from its data files publicly available when it relates to children who have been reported as runaways. The information must be limited to only that which will facilitate the safe return of the youth to his or her home.

Licensed youth shelters and other licensed organization serving homeless or runaway youth and their families must comply with the following requirements when providing shelter to youth who are homeless or who have run away from home:

• Within eight hours of learning a youth is away from home without permission, shelter staff must consult the information made publicly available by the WSP. If a youth being served by the shelter is listed as missing, shelter staff must immediately notify the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) with a description of the youth's physical and emotional condition and the circumstances surrounding the youth's contact with the shelter. Shelter staff must continue consulting the publicly available information at least once every 8 hours during the youth's stay at the shelter, unless notice has already been provided to the youth's parent, law enforcement, or the DSHS.

• Within 72 hours, and preferably within 24 hours, shelter staff must notify the youth's parent with 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 a parent, including but not limited to the potential the child will be subjected to child abuse or neglect, the shelter or organization must instead notify the DSHS.

A private right of action is established for a parent if an unlicensed youth shelter or unlicensed homeless youth program fails to notify the parent, law enforcement, or the DSHS with eight hours of learning the youth is away from home without permission.

Votes on Final Passage: