SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6338

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Stratton, Craswell, Wojahn, Garrett, Kreidler, Bailey and McDonald; by request of Department of Social and Health Services

Revising provisions governing consultation by department of social and health services on reports of abuse.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 25, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Jennifer Strus (786-7472)

                  February 29, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 10, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 the Legislature amended RCW 26.44.030(6) to require the Department of Social and Health Services to establish and work with multi-disciplinary teams and other consultants in case planning in child abuse cases.  The amendatory phrase "with consultants designated by the department" was inadvertently placed in the wrong sentence in the subsection.  As the statute currently reads, the Department cannot work with consultants and multi-disciplinary teams unless first requested to do so.

SUMMARY:

The 1987 amendatory language is moved from the ninth sentence in subsection (6) to the third sentence in subsection (6).  The proper placement of the phrase "with consultants designated by the department" will allow the Department to conduct case planning with designated consultants whenever deemed appropriate by the Department.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Joyce Hopson, Department of Social and Health Services