SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5227

BYSenators Wojahn, Kiskaddon, Sellar, Anderson and Stratton; by request of Department of Social and Health Services

Consolidating statutes regarding revenue recovery for social and health services.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 29, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Jean Soliz (786-7755)

                  February 20, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 20, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Office of Financial Recovery of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers DSHS revenue collection programs which are scattered throughout various titles of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).  Prior to the creation of DSHS by the Legislature, each agency (public assistance, institutions, health, etc.) had revenue collection statutes integrated into program titles.  This dispersal has created duplicative procedures, unnecessary administrative efforts and confusion for the agency and for the public.

SUMMARY:

Most DSHS recovery statutes are consolidated into one new chapter, which provides a central reference point for DSHS revenue collection.  Thirty seven existing sections for revenue collection provisions are moved into the new chapter, and statutory references are corrected in forty one sections.  Six sections are repealed.  Nursing home settlement procedures (Chapter 74.46 RCW) and child support enforcement provisions (Chapter 74.20 and 74.20A RCW) are not consolidated into the new revenue collection chapter.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Lucille Christenson, Director, DSHS Revenue Division; Ellen Wolfhagen, Attorney, DSHS Revenue Division