SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6441

BYSenator Kiskaddon

Requiring day care providers and workers to have training in recognizing and reporting child abuse and prohibiting corporal punishment by day care providers.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 28, 1988; February 1, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6441 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Kiskaddon, Chairman; Bailey, Vice Chairman; Fleming, Garrett.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 2, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6441 as recommended by Committee on Children & Family Services be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Cantu, Deccio, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Saling, Vognild, Williams, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7715)

                  February 8, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Child abuse and neglect have been researched in depth by the Legislature as well as by state and federal agencies. This research indicates that one way to become aware of those children who are victims of abuse is through the reports of day care providers.  Since children are seen daily by these care takers, distinguishing characteristics of abuse can be recognized and reported.  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is in the process of preparing and distributing a brochure which will help child care providers recognize signs of abuse and neglect, but there is no plan to utilize training seminars which would provide greater in-depth education for the workers.

Recent research indicates that corporal punishment is ineffective and detrimental to children.  Conversely, proponents believe there are proven ways to use positive discipline to teach appropriate behavior and at the same time encourage respect and trust between persons in authority and the children they supervise. 

The Department of Social and Health Services has banned the use of corporal punishment in day care facilities through administrative law (WAC 33-73-048).  Proponents of this bill believe that this policy should be included in statute.

SUMMARY:

All day care providers licensed by the state are prohibited from using corporal punishment, which is defined as hitting, spanking, slapping or striking a child.

Training provided by the Department of Social and Health Services on recognition and reporting of child abuse is made a licensing requirement for day care providers and workers under RCW 74.15.030.

The secretary of DSHS is directed to collect and disseminate to day care providers information and training materials on positive discipline techniques.

An undetermined amount of money is appropriated for the purposes of this act.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

All of the provisions of the original bill are stricken. 

The Department of Social and Health Services is provided $200,000 to develop and provide day care providers and foster family homes educational programs on positive discipline.  Age-specific programs are to be made available so the special needs of individual age groups are met.

Implementation of the program is to begin July 1, 1988.

Appropriation:    $200,000 to the Department of Social and Health Services

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 3, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES:  Dr. Ruth Anne Parish, Washington State Pediatrics Association (for); Chris Howard, Children's Home Society (for); Karen Tvedt, DSHS (for); Eric Trupin, Children's Hospital (for); Jon LeVeque, Alliance of Children, Youth and Families (for); Margie Reeves; Christina Heller, Bates Voc-Tech School (for); Anita Brown (against); Ed Fullerton (against); Margaret Martin (against); Dennis Hughes, Presbyterian Church (for); Karen Hecht-Wagner, Stop Abuse (for); Pat Thibaudeau, Childhaven (for); Kathryn Lien (against); Suzy Olt, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (for); Sharon Welch (against); Cathering Wenzel (against); Bonnie Scinney (against); Judi O'Hara (against); Bruce Beckwith (against); Jim Touk (against); Dr. David Peeples, FOCAL (against): David Jolly (against); Melinda Jolly (against); Beck Pflueger, FOCAL (against); Joyce Wilson, Snohomish County Foster Parent Association (against); Don Knapp (for); Margaret Martin (against); Kathleen Spreadborough and Jonathan Spreadborough, FOCAL (against); Marceil Hutchins, FOCAL (against)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Pat Thibaudeau, Childhaven (for)