FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5214

                              C 22 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senator Smith)

Mandating abuse and neglect reporting.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

House Committe on Human Services

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Current law states that when a professional person involved in various services for children, dependent adults or developmentally disabled persons has reasonable cause to believe that one of these persons has been abused or neglected, a report must be made to either a law enforcement agency or the Department of Social and Health Services.

If the Department of Social and Health Services does not contact a law enforcement agency shortly after receiving a report of abuse or neglect, valuable physical evidence of the abuse or neglect can be lost, interfering with the state's ability to prosecute.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services shall notify the proper law enforcement agency within 24 hours of receipt of information on an emergency case of abuse or neglect of a child, adult dependent or developmentally disabled person.  In all other cases, the department shall notify the proper enforcement agency within 72 hours of receipt of information.  If the department's initial report to law enforcement is oral, it shall provide a written report within five days.

In emergency cases, a law enforcement agency shall notify the Department of Social and Health Services within 24 hours of receipt of information of abuse or neglect.  In all other cases, law enforcement shall notify the department within 72 hours.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   46    0

     House 97  0

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989