HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2751

BYRepresentatives Scott, Winsley, Sayan, Moyer, Leonard, Anderson, Raiter, Brekke, Padden, Wineberry, Cole, Haugen, Sprenkle, P. King, Belcher, Prentice, Nutley, Morris, Peery, Nelson, Hine, Tate, H. Myers, Kirby, Brooks, Vekich, Rector, Heavey, Dellwo, Hargrove, Locke, Crane, R. King, Basich, Kremen, Jones, Appelwick, Cooper, Braddock, R. Meyers, Wood, Inslee, Spanel, Ferguson, Brough, Walker, Fuhrman, Brumsickle, Youngsman, Baugher, Forner, Smith, Phillips, Wolfe, Wang, Rayburn, Silver, May, Miller, Betrozoff, Schoon, Todd, Rasmussen and Day

Establishing a program for infants and children with special needs due to the effect of alcohol, drugs, or the human immunodeficiency virus.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Sayan, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

House Staff:Dave Knutson (786-7146)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES JANUARY 29, 1990.

BACKGROUND:

The incidence of infants and children who are exposed to harmful drugs and life-threatening diseases is increasing dramatically. These infants and children have special needs which can be met by providing specialized support and services.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Department of Social and Health Services will establish a program to provide special needs infants and children and their caregivers with specialized support and services.  The program will provide prospective reimbursement to foster care providers, case management , personal care services, specialized medical equipment, training, respite, and counseling services.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Appropriations for the bill are provided.

Appropriation:    $2,880,000 to the Department of Social and Health Services.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 16, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Dawn English, foster parent; Barbara Richards and Barbara Drennan, Pediatric Interim Care Center; Pat Gogerty, Therapeutic Child Care Program; William Quick, Department of Social and Health Services.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Increasing numbers of babies are born who have special needs due to maternal use of alcohol or drugs, or exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus.  Almost 80 percent of all babies placed in foster care are considered drug babies.  Specialized services are needed to help these babies.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.