HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2586

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to domestic violence.

Brief Description:  Providing services to victims of domestic violence and  their children.

Sponsors:  Representatives L. Johnson, Leonard, Long, Eide, Kessler, J. Kohl, Appelwick, Roland, Cothern, Forner, Romero, Wood, Valle, Thibaudeau, Brown, Patterson, Conway, Caver, Campbell, Pruitt, Holm, Ogden, Dunshee, Jones, Brough, King, Rayburn and Anderson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 3, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Caver; Karahalios; Patterson and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Lisk and Padden.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  Services to victims of domestic violence focus on protecting victims from further abuse and violence and helping to find alternative living situations, if requested.  The children of domestic violence victims often suffer from the stress and family problems associated with domestic violence directed at one of their parents.  Limited funds for domestic violence programs often do not provide assistance and support to children of domestic violence victims.

Summary of Bill:  Domestic violence shelters will provide prevention and treatment programs to victims of domestic violence, including parenting support, education and conflict resolution skills, and information and referral services.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Appropriation:  The sum of $1,200,000 to the Department of Social and Health Services.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Children of victims of domestic violence need services to cope with the violence they witness at home.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Majken Ryherd Keira, Human Services Roundtable (pro); Liz Dalton, Department of Social and Health Services (pro); Mary Pontarolo, Coalition Against Domestic Violence (pro); Judy Turpin, Northwest Women's Law Center (pro); and Pam Davenport, Secretary of State (pro).