SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6114

BYSenator Wojahn

Establishing local substitute care review boards for juveniles.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 14, 1988

Senate Staff:Jean Soliz (786-7755)

AS OF JANUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Washington's substitute care system for children who do not live with their families is dysfunctional for many reasons.  The service system has become out of balance, functioning as a crisis placement system with an insufficient focus on assisting families to avoid the need to remove children or on reunifying families, once a child has been removed. 

Children are often in temporary situations for months at a time before the court reviews evidence of abuse or neglect to determine dependency.  If dependency is found, children may spend years in one or many foster homes before any decisions are made about their permanent status.

Parents are allowed only minimal input and visitation during the course of the intervention system and the substitute placement process.

The Department of Social and Health Services will experience a $17 million shortfall in the foster care budget at the end of the biennium.

SUMMARY:

Citizen review panels are established throughout the state, under the administration of the Washington Supreme Court through the Office of the Administrator of the Courts.

The purpose of the panels is to conduct periodic reviews regarding the appropriateness of removing a child, the efforts made to heal the family, and the ongoing situation of a child while she or he remains in substitute care.  The panel monitors efforts being made to limit each child's time in temporary care.  Local panel members are appointed by juvenile court judges at the rate of one panel for every 100 children in foster care.  The panels are comprised of five citizens who are then trained and sworn to confidentiality. 

Parents and all concerned parties are given time to speak to the impartial panel.  The panel then makes written recommendations to the juvenile court, which must be reviewed by court personnel within ten days.  The court, the panel or any involved party may request a court hearing. 

The child's file is first reviewed within six months of the time a child leaves home.  Detailed requirements assure that the court receives a prompt report regarding any child that has been removed from his or her family, and the court must refer the case to the panel within 10 days after receiving the report.

All agency files are available to the panel, and parents receive notice of each stage of the process.  No agency employees or contracting entity employees may be panelists.

Appropriation:    unspecified

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 5, 1988

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.