SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5313

BYSenators Bailey, Rinehart, Anderson, Lee, Murray, Fleming and Bauer

Revising provisions for reporting of child abuse by professional school personnel.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1989; February 9, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Metcalf, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

                  February 10, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 9, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Under existing law, professional school personnel must report, or cause to be reported, an incident of child abuse or neglect. If this is not accomplished within forty-eight hours of the incident, the originator of the report may be charged with a gross misdemeanor.

SUMMARY:

Each school principal may designate one person in the school to whom teachers and other school personnel may report any incident of child abuse or neglect.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association (pro); Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington Association of Child Abuse Council (con); Mary Ault, Department of Social and Health Services, Children and Family Services (con)