SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6207

BYSenators 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)

                  February 4, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 4, 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 removed from the home as a result of a shelter care hearing, that child shall be placed with a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, or first cousin provided that such relative is not involved in the alleged abuse and the relative is willing to take the child on a temporary basis.

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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

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.

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)