SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6306
BYSenators Kiskaddon and West
Establishing a category of dependency for high-risk youth.
Senate Committee on Children & Family Services
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1988
Senate Staff:Jennifer Strus (786-7472)
AS OF FEBRUARY 3, 1988
BACKGROUND:
Street kids live in a culture of pan handling, prostitution and drug abuse. For most children in the "high-risk" category, the court's order for treatment should be sufficient. The last alternative should be a finding that a child represents a clear and present danger to himself or herself. However, without the authority to order treatment and evaluation many youths in the "at risk" category cannot be protected. These children need to be stopped temporarily to allow sufficient time for assessment, planning and initial service delivery.
SUMMARY:
A child who is 15 or under is a dependent minor if his or her conduct places that at a high risk of substantial damage to his or her physical or mental health. If a child has a significant history of drug or alcohol dependence, chronic truancy or running away, serious family conflicts, suicidal behavior or is without a home, that child is a dependent child.
If a child is found to be dependent, he/she can be placed in a locked facility which must provide evaluation and treatment services and multidisciplinary mediation teams. The facility must also use the least restrictive means possible to assist the child.
The child cannot be placed in such a facility unless the court determines that if the child does not participate in a treatment and evaluation program, it is highly likely that he or she will constitute a danger to the child's physical or emotional welfare and that there is no less restrictive method by which to help the child.
The child's stay in such a facility should be as brief as possible, but never longer than 45 days. A child may be placed in a secure facility pursuant to this section only once a year.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested January 21, 1988