SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1546

BYRepresentatives Brekke, Winsley, Scott, Leonard, H. Sommers, Moyer, Padden, Todd and Anderson; by request of Department of Social and Health Services

Revising provisions governing consultation by department of social and health services on reports of abuse.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Kiskaddon, Chairman; Bailey, Vice Chairman; Craswell, Fleming, Garrett, McDonald, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Jennifer Strus (786-7472)

                  February 25, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 the Legislature amended RCW 26.44.030(6) to require the Department of Social and Health Services to establish and work with multi-disciplinary teams and other consultants in case planning in child abuse cases.  The amendatory phrase "with consultants designated by the department" was inadvertently placed in the wrong sentence in the subsection.  As the statute currently reads, the Department cannot work with consultants and multi-disciplinary teams unless first requested to do so.

SUMMARY:

The 1987 amendatory language is moved from the ninth sentence in subsection (6) to the third sentence in subsection (6).  The proper placement of the phrase "with consultants designated by the department" will allow the Department to conduct case planning with designated consultants whenever deemed appropriate by the Department.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: No one