SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 2543

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Moyer, Braddock, Holland, Jones, Brooks, H. Myers, Winsley, Nelson, Wineberry, Brekke, Bowman, Sprenkle, Raiter, Leonard, Spanel, Vekich, Brough, Appelwick, Cole, Belcher, Baugher, Peery, Wang, Haugen, Inslee, Hine, R. Fisher, Prentice, Pruitt, R. King, Walker, Rector, Crane, Dellwo, Smith, Horn, Scott, Rayburn, P. King, Valle, Miller, Jacobsen, G. Fisher, Basich, Kremen, May, Schoon, Forner, Locke, Wood, Brumsickle, Youngsman, Todd, Rasmussen, Cooper and Day)

Regarding community violence prevention and public security programs.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1990; February 23, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Nelson, Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Anita Neal (786-7418)

                  February 23, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 26, 1990

Senate Staff:Susanne Windels (786-7715)

                  February 26, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Recent incidents of violence in the community, including several sexual predatory offenses against children, have made the public aware of the necessity of taking decisive steps to prevent violence. Exposure to violence at an early age appears to be a significant risk factor for subsequent violent behavior.  Because the criminal justice system has little control over societal patterns and relationships that generate violence, early intervention may be more successful in preventing community violence.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services is required to develop a comprehensive intervention strategy for curtailing violence in the community by providing services through pilot programs of three years duration.  State, county, and community resources involving the criminal justice, mental health, and social services systems will be coordinated to provide effective intervention at the earliest identifiable stages for treating, controlling and preventing community violence.

The secretary must establish, through a competitive selection process, sites in communities that are geographically balanced throughout the state and have a sustained commitment towards containing violence. Each pilot program must designate a lead agency and develop interagency agreements to deliver a coordinated continuum of services provided by state and local agencies and organizations. A 25 percent local match that may include contributions in kind is required for funding the local program.

The implementation of pilot projects and other strategies is subject to the lability of appropriated funds.

The goals of the pilot programs include support for intervention with families experiencing violence, and coordinating and preserving existing programs addressing violence.

The services provided by the pilot programs include treatment and support for children or other family members who are victims; a case management system that assesses the extent and effect of violence, secures appropriate intervention services, and monitors case progress; anger management services; parenting and care-giver training; and public education.

Each program will be evaluated and the results reported to the Department of Social and Health Services by October 1, 1992.  The department must report the results of the program evaluations to the Legislature by December 1, 1992.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services shall develop and administer a public health intervention strategy.  The strategy shall coordinate all existing programs and systems for the prevention and intervention of community violence.  The secretary shall consult with the Department of Health, the State Board of Health, the Department of Labor and Industries, and the Department of Community Development in developing the strategy.

The goals of the public health intervention strategy shall be to provide treatment and support services for victims, a case management system, anger management services, parenting and care-giver training, and public education.

The Department of Social and Health Services shall report to the Legislature on the results of the strategy on or before December 1, 1992.

Senate Committee - Testified: LAW & JUSTICE:  Representative Morris, prime sponsor; Norm Maleng, King County Prosecutor; Representative Moyer; Dr. Roland Maiuro, University of Washington Medical School; Judy Clibborn, Human Services Roundtable; Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington Association of Child Abuse Councils; Lieutenant Michael Davidson, Child Abuse Intervention Center; Bev Emery, Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs; Angie Vincent; Tennis Shoe Brigade; Terri Amrhein, Tennis Shoe Brigade