SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6207

BYSenate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senators Craswell, Owen, Kiskaddon and Stratton)

Increasing out-of-home placement alternatives for victims of child abuse.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6207 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Jennifer Strus (786-7472)

                  March 3, 1988

House Committe on Human Services

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 10, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Out-of-home placements for victims of child abuse have increased in the last several years.  As a result, the financial impact on the state has increased.  The children who are victims of abuse have suffered from the traumatic experience of being removed from their homes and placed with strangers.  Less costly and less traumatic out-of-home placements are needed.

SUMMARY:

If a child is found to be dependent and the disposition by the court is that the child should be removed from the home, the court shall order that the child be placed with one of the relatives listed above provided that the relative is not involved in the abuse and the relative agrees to accept placement of the child.

However, if, at the disposition hearing, the court does not have sufficient information to decide whether or not to place the child with a relative, the child shall remain in foster care, and the Department of Social and Health Services must conduct an investigation and report back to the court within 30 days.  The relative with whom the child is placed must cooperate with the agency case plan and court order.  If the relative does not comply, the child may be removed from the relatives' home.

The department shall establish an advisory task force to study current procedures used in out-of-home placements with relatives.  An objective of the study is to identify what the barriers are to earlier placement of children with relatives and to recommend procedures to encourage immediate placement of children with relatives.

The task force will report to the Legislature before December 15, 1988 on its findings and recommendations and the results of innovations or programs used by the department to encourage placement of children with relatives.

The licensing statute is amended to remove the criminal background check as an obstacle to immediate relative placement.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 29, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Thomas Minnick, Washington State Coalition for Religious Liberty (for); Dr. William Backlund (for); Joyce Hopson, DSHS (against); LeAnn Miller, Assistant Attorney General for DSHS (against); Bailey deIongh, King County Public Defender (for)

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

At the disposition hearing, if a relative appears suitable and competent to provide care and treatment to the child, the criminal history background check required by RCW 74.15 need not be completed before placement, but must be completed as soon as possible thereafter. RCW 74.15 is also amended to make clear the circumstances under which the criminal check is required.