SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1375

As of March 16, 2009

Title: An act relating to eliminating foster care citizen review boards.

Brief Description: Eliminating foster care citizen review boards.

Sponsors: Representatives Roberts, Appleton, Walsh, Kagi, Liias, Upthegrove and Kenney.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/23/09, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 3/17/09.

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: Foster Care Citizen Review Boards (CR Boards) were established as a pilot program to be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) during the 1989-91 biennium. The sum of $500,000 was appropriated to implement the pilot. The CR Boards were designed with the intent of creating local volunteer citizen review boards to advise county-based superior court judges on children's dependency cases. The CR Boards were exempted from some of the procedures and standards applicable to administrative and judicial hearings and received training in confidentiality requirements and conflict of interest matters.

Historical budget notes indicate CR Boards were implemented in Snohomish, Yakima, and Clallam counties. Additional funding was appropriated in the 1991-93 biennium, but in the 1993-95 biennium, program funding was eliminated from the AOC budget because the cost-effectiveness of the program was in doubt.

After funding was eliminated, only Snohomish County continued to utilize a CR Board in its processing of children's dependency cases. In January 2009, however, Snohomish County eliminated its CR Board, based in part on the county's budget constraints.

Summary of Bill: The chapter and related session laws establishing local volunteer foster care citizen review boards are repealed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.