SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5048

BYSenate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senators Lee, Wojahn, McCaslin, Saling, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Sutherland, von Reichbauer and Nelson; by request of Legislative Budget Committee)

Extending the council for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1989; January 30, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5048 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Smith, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Stratton, Vognild.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  April 11, 1989

House Committe on Human Services

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 22, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (WCPCAN) was established in 1982 as a two-year demonstration project and was reestablished in 1984.  The council's goals are:  (1) to fund, monitor and evaluate child abuse and neglect prevention projects; (2) to increase public awareness of the issues surrounding child abuse and neglect; and (3) the development of the children's trust fund.  The council currently provides start-up grants to approximately 15 local projects each year.

The council is composed of the chairperson and 10 other members: five appointed by the Governor, four legislators, and two ex-officio members, one from the Department of Social and Health Services and one from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Legislative Budget Committee sunset review of the council recommended that the agency be continued until June 30, 1994 with minor administrative modifications, and one statutory change to make the funding source for the council more clear.

SUMMARY:

The termination date for the Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is extended from June 30, 1990 to June 30, 1994.

Membership on the council is increased from 11 to 13 members.  The Governor is directed to make appointments on a geographic basis to assure council membership representing all areas of the state.

Language is added to make clear that the $5.00 fee included in the charges for issuing a marriage license is for the use and support of prevention of child abuse and neglect activities.  This fee is to be charged until June 30, 1995.

The council is directed to consider funding both small prevention projects and larger, more established programs.

An appropriation of $37,000 from the general fund is made to fund one additional half- time staff position for the biennium.

Appropriation:    $37,000 from the general fund

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Kip Takuda, WCPCAN; Carol Mason, Washington Association Child Abuse Council; Karen Tvedt, DSHS; Joan Poliak, Chair of Council

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

Language directing the council to consider specific types of programs is deleted.

The appropriation and mention of additional staff for the council are deleted.