2556-S AAS 3/5/98

2556-S AAS 3/5/98

SHB 2556 - S COMM AMD (S5084.1)

By Committee on Human Services & Corrections

ADOPTED AS AMENDED 3/5/98

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"Sec. 1. RCW 13.34.020 and 1990 c 284 s 31 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature declares that the family unit is a fundamental resource of American life which should be nurtured. Toward the continuance of this principle, the legislature declares that the family unit should remain intact unless a child's right to conditions of basic nurture, health, or safety is jeopardized. When the rights of basic nurture, physical and mental health, and safety of the child and the legal rights of the parents are in conflict, the rights and safety of the child should prevail. In making reasonable efforts under this chapter, the child's health and safety shall be the paramount concern. The right of a child to basic nurturing includes the right to a safe, stable, and permanent home and a speedy resolution of any proceeding under this chapter.

Sec. 2. RCW 13.34.130 and 1997 c 280 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

If, after a fact-finding hearing pursuant to RCW 13.34.110, it has been proven by a preponderance of the evidence that the child is dependent within the meaning of RCW 13.34.030; after consideration of the predisposition report prepared pursuant to RCW 13.34.110 and after a disposition hearing has been held pursuant to RCW 13.34.110, the court shall enter an order of disposition pursuant to this section.

(1) The court shall order one of the following dispositions of the case:

(a) Order a disposition other than removal of the child from his or her home, which shall provide a program designed to alleviate the immediate danger to the child, to mitigate or cure any damage the child has already suffered, and to aid the parents so that the child will not be endangered in the future. In selecting a program, the court should choose those services that least interfere with family autonomy, provided that the services are adequate to protect the child.

(b) Order that the child be removed from his or her home and ordered into the custody, control, and care of a relative or the department of social and health services or a licensed child placing agency for placement in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or in a home not required to be licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW. Unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the safety or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or that efforts to reunite the parent and child will be hindered, such child shall be placed with a person who is related to the child as defined in RCW 74.15.020(4)(a) and with whom the child has a relationship and is comfortable, and who is willing and available to care for the child. Placement of the child with a relative under this subsection shall be given preference by the court. An order for out-of-home placement may be made only if the court finds that reasonable efforts have been made to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home and to make it possible for the child to return home, specifying the services that have been provided to the child and the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and that preventive services have been offered or provided and have failed to prevent the need for out-of-home placement, unless the health, safety, and welfare of the child cannot be protected adequately in the home, and that:

(i) There is no parent or guardian available to care for such child;

(ii) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian is not willing to take custody of the child;

(iii) The court finds, by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, a manifest danger exists that the child will suffer serious abuse or neglect if the child is not removed from the home and an order under RCW 26.44.063 would not protect the child from danger; or

(iv) The extent of the child's disability is such that the parent, guardian, or legal custodian is unable to provide the necessary care for the child and the parent, guardian, or legal custodian has determined that the child would benefit from placement outside of the home.

(2) If the court has ordered a child removed from his or her home pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section, the court may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed if the court finds ((it)): (a) Termination is recommended by the supervising agency((~~, that it~~)); (b) termination is in the best interests of the child; and (c) that ((~~it is not reasonable to provide further services to reunify the family~~)) because of the existence of aggravated circumstances ((~~make it unlikely that services will effectuate the return of the child to the child's parents in the near future~~)), reasonable efforts to unify the family are not required. Notwithstanding the existence of aggravated circumstances, reasonable efforts may be required if the court or department determines it is in the best interest of the child. In determining whether aggravated circumstances exist, the court shall consider one or more of the following:

((~~(a)~~)) (i) Conviction of the parent of rape of the child in the first, second, or third degree as defined in RCW 9A.44.073, 9A.44.076, and 9A.44.079;

((~~(b)~~)) (ii) Conviction of the parent of criminal mistreatment of the child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.42.020 and 9A.42.030;

((~~(c)~~)) (iii) Conviction of the parent of one of the following assault crimes, when the child is the victim: Assault in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.011 and 9A.36.021 or assault of a child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.120 or 9A.36.130;

((~~(d)~~)) (iv) Conviction of the parent of murder, manslaughter, or homicide by abuse of the child's other parent, sibling, or another child;

((~~(e)~~)) (v) Conviction of the parent of attempting, soliciting, or conspiracy to commit a crime listed in (c)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this subsection;

(vi) A finding by a court that a parent is a sexually violent predator as defined in RCW 71.09.020;

((~~(f)~~)) (vii) Failure of the parent to complete available treatment ordered under this chapter or the equivalent laws of another state, where such failure has resulted in a prior termination of parental rights to another child and the parent has failed to effect significant change in the interim.

(3) If reasonable efforts are not ordered under this subsection (3) a permanency plan hearing shall be held within thirty days. Reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child;

(4) Whenever a child is ordered removed from the child's home, the agency charged with his or her care shall provide the court with:

(a) A permanency plan of care that shall identify one of the following outcomes as a primary goal and may identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; adoption; guardianship; or long-term relative or foster care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the care provider; and independent living, if appropriate and if the child is age sixteen or older. Whenever a permanency plan identifies independent living as a goal, the plan shall also specifically identify the services that will be provided to assist the child to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living. Before the court approves independent living as a permanency plan of care, the court shall make a finding that the provision of services to assist the child in making a transition from foster care to independent living will allow the child to manage his or her financial affairs and to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs. The department shall not discharge a child to an independent living situation before the child is eighteen years of age unless the child becomes emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW.

(b) Unless the court has ordered, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to return the child home, and what actions the agency will take to maintain parent-child ties. All aspects of the plan shall include the goal of achieving permanence for the child.

(i) The agency plan shall specify what services the parents will be offered in order to enable them to resume custody, what requirements the parents must meet in order to resume custody, and a time limit for each service plan and parental requirement.

(ii) The agency shall be required to encourage the maximum parent-child contact possible, including regular visitation and participation by the parents in the care of the child while the child is in placement. Visitation may be limited or denied only if the court determines that such limitation or denial is necessary to protect the child's health, safety, or welfare.

(iii) A child shall be placed as close to the child's home as possible, preferably in the child's own neighborhood, unless the court finds that placement at a greater distance is necessary to promote the child's or parents' well-being.

(iv) The agency charged with supervising a child in placement shall provide all reasonable services that are available within the agency, or within the community, or those services which the department of social and health services has existing contracts to purchase. It shall report to the court if it is unable to provide such services.

(c) If the court has ordered, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to achieve permanency for the child, services to be offered or provided to the child, and, if visitation would be in the best interests of the child, a recommendation to the court regarding visitation between parent and child pending a fact-finding hearing on the termination petition. The agency shall not be required to develop a plan of services for the parents or provide services to the parents.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) If the court determines that the continuation of reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from his or her home or to safely return the child home is inconsistent with the permanency plan of care for the child, reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan of care and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

(6) If there is insufficient information at the time of the disposition hearing upon which to base a determination regarding the suitability of a proposed placement with a relative, the child shall remain in foster care and the court shall direct the supervising agency to conduct necessary background investigations as provided in chapter 74.15 RCW and report the results of such investigation to the court within thirty days. However, if such relative appears otherwise suitable and competent to provide care and treatment, the criminal history background check need not be completed before placement, but as soon as possible after placement. Any placements with relatives, pursuant to this section, shall be contingent upon cooperation by the relative with the agency case plan and compliance with court orders related to the care and supervision of the child including, but not limited to, court orders regarding parent-child contacts and any other conditions imposed by the court. Noncompliance with the case plan or court order shall be grounds for removal of the child from the relative's home, subject to review by the court.

((~~(5)~~)) (7) Except for children whose cases are reviewed by a citizen review board under chapter 13.70 RCW, the status of all children found to be dependent shall be reviewed by the court at least every six months from the beginning date of the placement episode or the date dependency is established, whichever is first, at a hearing in which it shall be determined whether court supervision should continue. The review shall include findings regarding the agency and parental completion of disposition plan requirements, and if necessary, revised permanency time limits. The supervising agency shall provide a foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative with notice of, and their right to an opportunity to be heard in, a review hearing pertaining to the child, but only if that person is currently providing care to that child at the time of the hearing. This section shall not be construed to grant party status to any person who has been provided an opportunity to be heard.

(a) A child shall not be returned home at the review hearing unless the court finds that a reason for removal as set forth in this section no longer exists. The parents, guardian, or legal custodian shall report to the court the efforts they have made to correct the conditions which led to removal. If a child is returned, casework supervision shall continue for a period of six months, at which time there shall be a hearing on the need for continued intervention.

(b) If the child is not returned home, the court shall establish in writing:

(i) Whether reasonable services have been provided to or offered to the parties to facilitate reunion, specifying the services provided or offered;

(ii) Whether the child has been placed in the least-restrictive setting appropriate to the child's needs, including whether consideration and preference has been given to placement with the child's relatives;

(iii) Whether there is a continuing need for placement and whether the placement is appropriate;

(iv) Whether there has been compliance with the case plan by the child, the child's parents, and the agency supervising the placement;

(v) Whether progress has been made toward correcting the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care;

(vi) Whether the parents have visited the child and any reasons why visitation has not occurred or has been infrequent;

(vii) Whether additional services are needed to facilitate the return of the child to the child's parents; if so, the court shall order that reasonable services be offered specifying such services; and

(viii) The projected date by which the child will be returned home or other permanent plan of care will be implemented.

(c) The court at the review hearing may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed.

Sec. 3. RCW 13.34.145 and 1995 c 311 s 20 and 1995 c 53 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) A permanency plan shall be developed no later than sixty days from the time the supervising agency assumes responsibility for providing services, including placing the child, or at the time of a hearing under RCW 13.34.130, whichever occurs first. The permanency planning process continues until a permanency planning goal is achieved or dependency is dismissed. The planning process shall include reasonable efforts to return the child to the parent's home.

(a) Whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care pursuant to RCW 13.34.130, the agency that has custody of the child shall provide the court with a written permanency plan of care directed towards securing a safe, stable, and permanent home for the child as soon as possible. The plan shall identify one of the following outcomes as the primary goal and may also identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; adoption; guardianship; or long-term relative or foster care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the care provider; and independent living, if appropriate and if the child is age sixteen or older and the provisions of subsection (2) of this section are met.

(b) The identified outcomes and goals of the permanency plan may change over time based upon the circumstances of the particular case.

(c) Permanency planning goals should be achieved at the earliest possible date, preferably before the child has been in out-of-home care for fifteen months. In cases where parental rights have been terminated, the child is legally free for adoption, and adoption has been identified as the primary permanency planning goal, it shall be a goal to complete the adoption within six months following entry of the termination order.

(2) Whenever a permanency plan identifies independent living as a goal, the plan shall also specifically identify the services that will be provided to assist the child to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living. Before the court approves independent living as a permanency plan of care, the court shall make a finding that the provision of services to assist the child in making a transition from foster care to independent living will allow the child to manage his or her financial affairs and to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs. The department shall not discharge a child to an independent living situation before the child is eighteen years of age unless the child becomes emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW.

(3)((~~(a) For children ten and under,~~)) A permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least nine months and an adoption decree or guardianship order has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than twelve months following commencement of the current placement episode.

(((b) For children over ten, a permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least fifteen months and an adoption decree or guardianship order has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than eighteen months following commencement of the current placement episode.))

(4) Whenever a child is removed from the home of a dependency guardian or long-term relative or foster care provider, and the child is not returned to the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian but is placed in out-of-home care, a permanency planning hearing shall take place no later than twelve ((~~or eighteen~~)) months, as provided in subsection (3) of this section, following the date of removal unless, prior to the hearing, the child returns to the home of the dependency guardian or long-term care provider, the child is placed in the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, an adoption decree or guardianship order is entered, or the dependency is dismissed.

(5) No later than ten working days prior to the permanency planning hearing, the agency having custody of the child shall submit a written permanency plan to the court and shall mail a copy of the plan to all parties and their legal counsel, if any.

(6) At the permanency planning hearing, the court shall enter findings as required by RCW 13.34.130((~~(5)~~)) (7) and shall review the permanency plan prepared by the agency. If the child has resided in the home of a foster parent or relative for more than six months prior to the permanency planning hearing, the court shall also enter a finding regarding whether the foster parent or relative was informed of the hearing as required in RCW 74.13.280 and 13.34.130(7). If a goal of long-term foster or relative care has been achieved prior to the permanency planning hearing, the court shall review the child's status to determine whether the placement and the plan for the child's care remain appropriate. In cases where the primary permanency planning goal has not yet been achieved, the court shall inquire regarding the reasons why the primary goal has not been achieved and determine what needs to be done to make it possible to achieve the primary goal. In all cases, the court shall:

(a)(i) Order the permanency plan prepared by the agency to be implemented; or

(ii) Modify the permanency plan, and order implementation of the modified plan; and

(b)(i) Order the child returned home only if the court finds that a reason for removal as set forth in RCW 13.34.130 no longer exists; or

(ii) Order the child to remain in out-of-home care for a limited specified time period while efforts are made to implement the permanency plan.

(7) If the court orders the child returned home, casework supervision shall continue for at least six months, at which time a review hearing shall be held pursuant to RCW 13.34.130((~~(5)~~)) (7), and the court shall determine the need for continued intervention.

(8) Following the first permanency planning hearing, the court shall hold a further permanency planning hearing in accordance with this section at least once every twelve months until a permanency planning goal is achieved or the dependency is dismissed, whichever occurs first.

(9) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 13.34.235, the status of all dependent children shall continue to be reviewed by the court at least once every six months, in accordance with RCW 13.34.130((~~(5)~~)) (7), until the dependency is dismissed. Prior to the second permanency planning hearing, the agency that has custody of the child shall consider whether to file a petition for termination of parental rights.

(10) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the ability of the agency that has custody of the child to file a petition for termination of parental rights or a guardianship petition at any time following the establishment of dependency. Upon the filing of such a petition, a fact-finding hearing shall be scheduled and held in accordance with this chapter unless the agency requests dismissal of the petition prior to the hearing or unless the parties enter an agreed order terminating parental rights, establishing guardianship, or otherwise resolving the matter.

(11) The approval of a permanency plan that does not contemplate return of the child to the parent does not relieve the supervising agency of its obligation to provide reasonable services, under this chapter, intended to effectuate the return of the child to the parent, including but not limited to, visitation rights.

(12) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the procedural due process rights of any party in a termination or guardianship proceeding filed under this chapter.

Sec. 4. RCW 13.34.180 and 1997 c 280 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

A petition seeking termination of a parent and child relationship may be filed in juvenile court by any party to the dependency proceedings concerning that child. Such petition shall conform to the requirements of RCW 13.34.040, shall be served upon the parties as provided in RCW 13.34.070(8), and shall allege:

(1) That the child has been found to be a dependent child under RCW 13.34.030(4); and

(2) That the court has entered a dispositional order pursuant to RCW 13.34.130; and

(3) That the child has been removed or will, at the time of the hearing, have been removed from the custody of the parent for a period of at least six months pursuant to a finding of dependency under RCW 13.34.030(4); and

(4) That the services ordered under RCW 13.34.130 have been clearly offered or provided and all necessary services, reasonably available, capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future have been clearly offered or provided; and

(5) That there is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child can be returned to the parent in the near future. A parent's failure to substantially improve parental deficiencies within twelve months following entry of the dispositional order shall give rise to a rebuttable presumption that there is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child can be returned to the parent in the near future. The presumption shall not arise unless the petitioner makes a showing that all necessary services reasonably capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future have been clearly offered or provided. In determining whether the conditions will be remedied the court may consider, but is not limited to, the following factors:

(a) Use of intoxicating or controlled substances so as to render the parent incapable of providing proper care for the child for extended periods of time and documented unwillingness of the parent to receive and complete treatment or documented multiple failed treatment attempts; or

(b) Psychological incapacity or mental deficiency of the parent that is so severe and chronic as to render the parent incapable of providing proper care for the child for extended periods of time, and documented unwillingness of the parent to receive and complete treatment or documentation that there is no treatment that can render the parent capable of providing proper care for the child in the near future; and

(6) That continuation of the parent and child relationship clearly diminishes the child's prospects for early integration into a stable and permanent home; or

(7) In lieu of the allegations in subsections (1) through (6) of this section, the petition may allege that the child was found under such circumstances that the whereabouts of the child's parent are unknown and no person has acknowledged paternity or maternity and requested custody of the child within two months after the child was found; or

(8) In lieu of the allegations in subsections (2) through (6) of this section, the petition may allege that the parent has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction:

(a) To have committed, against another child of such parent, murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, or homicide by abuse as defined in chapter 9A.32 RCW;

(b) To have committed, against another child of such parent, manslaughter in the first degree or manslaughter in the second degree, as defined in chapter 9A.32 RCW;

(c) To have attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit one or more of the crimes listed in (a) or (b) of this subsection; or

(d) To have committed assault in the first or second degree, as defined in chapter 9A.36 RCW, against the surviving child or another child of the parent.

((A parent's failure to substantially improve parental deficiencies within twelve months following entry of the dispositional order shall give rise to a rebuttable presumption that there is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child can be returned to the parent in the near future. The presumption shall not arise unless the petitioner makes a showing that all necessary services reasonably capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future have been offered or provided.))

Notice of rights shall be served upon the parent, guardian, or legal custodian with the petition and shall be in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE

A petition for termination of parental rights has been filed against you. You have important legal rights and you must take steps to protect your interests. This petition could result in permanent loss of your parental rights.

1. You have the right to a fact-finding hearing before a judge.

2. You have the right to have a lawyer represent you at the hearing. A lawyer can look at the files in your case, talk to the department of social and health services and other agencies, tell you about the law, help you understand your rights, and help you at hearings. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one to represent you. To get a court-appointed lawyer you must contact: (explain local procedure) .

3. At the hearing, you have the right to speak on your own behalf, to introduce evidence, to examine witnesses, and to receive a decision based solely on the evidence presented to the judge.

You should be present at this hearing.

You may call (insert agency) for more information about your child. The agency's name and telephone number are (insert name and telephone number) ."

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall file a petition for the expedited termination of a parent and child relationship when the court determines that an infant, under three years of age, has been abandoned as defined in RCW 13.34.030(4)(a). The department shall, concurrently with proceeding with the petition, identify, recruit, process, and approve a qualified family for an adoption unless: (1) At the option of the department, the infant is being cared for by a relative; (2) the department has documented in the case plan a compelling reason for determining that the filing of such petition would not be in the best interest of the infant; or (3) the department has not provided the family such services as the department deems necessary for the safe return of the infant to the infant's home, if reasonable efforts are required to be made.

For the purposes of this section "expedited" refers to the filing of a petition for the termination of a parent and child relationship five months after an infant has been determined to be abandoned.

Sec. 6. RCW 13.34.190 and 1993 c 412 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

After hearings pursuant to RCW 13.34.110, the court may enter an order terminating all parental rights to a child if the court finds that:

(1)(a) The allegations contained in the petition as provided in RCW 13.34.180 (1) through (6) are established by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence; or

((~~(2)~~)) (b) RCW 13.34.180 (3) and (4) may be waived because the allegations under RCW 13.34.180 (1), (2), (5), and (6) are established beyond a reasonable doubt; or

((~~(3)~~)) (c) The allegation under RCW 13.34.180(7) is established beyond a reasonable doubt. In determining whether RCW 13.34.180 (5) and (6) are established beyond a reasonable doubt, the court shall consider whether one or more of the aggravated circumstances listed in RCW 13.34.130(2) exist; or

(d) The allegation under RCW 13.34.180(8) is established beyond a reasonable doubt; and

((~~(4)~~)) (2) Such an order is in the best interests of the child.

Sec. 7. RCW 74.15.130 and 1995 c 302 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) An agency may be denied a license, or any license issued pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 may be suspended, revoked, modified, or not renewed by the secretary upon proof (a) that the agency has failed or refused to comply with the provisions of chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 or the requirements promulgated pursuant to the provisions of chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031; or (b) that the conditions required for the issuance of a license under chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 have ceased to exist with respect to such licenses. RCW 43.20A.205 governs notice of a license denial, revocation, suspension, or modification and provides the right to an adjudicative proceeding.

(2) In any adjudicative proceeding regarding the denial, modification, suspension, or revocation of a foster family home license, the department's decision shall be upheld if there is reasonable cause to believe that:

(a) The applicant or licensee lacks the character, suitability, or competence to care for children placed in out-of-home care, however, no unfounded report of child abuse or neglect may be used to deny employment or a license;

(b) The applicant or licensee has failed or refused to comply with any provision of chapter 74.15 RCW, RCW 74.13.031, or the requirements adopted pursuant to such provisions; or

(c) The conditions required for issuance of a license under chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 have ceased to exist with respect to such licenses.

(3) In any adjudicative proceeding regarding the denial, modification, suspension, or revocation of any license under this chapter, other than a foster family home license, the department's decision shall be upheld if it is supported by a preponderance of the evidence.

(4) The department may assess civil monetary penalties upon proof that an agency has failed or refused to comply with the rules adopted under the provisions of this chapter and RCW 74.13.031 or that an agency subject to licensing under this chapter and RCW 74.13.031 is operating without a license except that civil monetary penalties shall not be levied against a licensed foster home. Monetary penalties levied against unlicensed agencies that submit an application for licensure within thirty days of notification and subsequently become licensed will be forgiven. These penalties may be assessed in addition to or in lieu of other disciplinary actions. Civil monetary penalties, if imposed, may be assessed and collected, with interest, for each day an agency is or was out of compliance. Civil monetary penalties shall not exceed seventy-five dollars per violation for a family day-care home and two hundred fifty dollars per violation for group homes, child day-care centers, and child-placing agencies. Each day upon which the same or substantially similar action occurs is a separate violation subject to the assessment of a separate penalty. The department shall provide a notification period before a monetary penalty is effective and may forgive the penalty levied if the agency comes into compliance during this period. The department may suspend, revoke, or not renew a license for failure to pay a civil monetary penalty it has assessed pursuant to this chapter within ten days after such assessment becomes final. Chapter 43.20A RCW governs notice of a civil monetary penalty and provides the right of an adjudicative proceeding. The preponderance of evidence standard shall apply in adjudicative proceedings related to assessment of civil monetary penalties.

Sec. 8. RCW 26.44.020 and 1997 c 386 s 45, 1997 c 386 s 24, 1997 c 282 s 4, and 1997 c 132 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

For the purpose of and as used in this chapter:

(1) "Court" means the superior court of the state of Washington, juvenile department.

(2) "Law enforcement agency" means the police department, the prosecuting attorney, the state patrol, the director of public safety, or the office of the sheriff.

(3) "Practitioner of the healing arts" or "practitioner" means a person licensed by this state to practice podiatric medicine and surgery, optometry, chiropractic, nursing, dentistry, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or medicine and surgery or to provide other health services. The term "practitioner" shall include a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That a person who is being furnished Christian Science treatment by a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner shall not be considered, for that reason alone, a neglected person for the purposes of this chapter.

(4) "Institution" means a private or public hospital or any other facility providing medical diagnosis, treatment or care.

(5) "Department" means the state department of social and health services.

(6) "Child" or "children" means any person under the age of eighteen years of age.

(7) "Professional school personnel" shall include, but not be limited to, teachers, counselors, administrators, child care facility personnel, and school nurses.

(8) "Social service counselor" shall mean anyone engaged in a professional capacity during the regular course of employment in encouraging or promoting the health, welfare, support or education of children, or providing social services to adults or families, including mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and domestic violence programs, whether in an individual capacity, or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.

(9) "Psychologist" shall mean any person licensed to practice psychology under chapter 18.83 RCW, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.

(10) "Pharmacist" shall mean any registered pharmacist under the provisions of chapter 18.64 RCW, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.

(11) "Clergy" shall mean any regularly licensed or ordained minister, priest or rabbi of any church or religious denomination, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.

(12) "Abuse or neglect" shall mean the injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child, adult dependent, or developmentally disabled person by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child's or adult's health, welfare, and safety is harmed, excluding conduct permitted under RCW 9A.16.100. An abused child is a child who has been subjected to child abuse or neglect as defined herein.

(13) "Child protective services section" shall mean the child protective services section of the department.

(14) "Adult dependent persons" shall be defined as those persons over the age of eighteen years who have been found to be legally incompetent or disabled pursuant to chapter 11.88 RCW.

(15) "Sexual exploitation" includes: (a) Allowing, permitting, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution by any person; or (b) allowing, permitting, encouraging, or engaging in the obscene or pornographic photographing, filming, or depicting of a child by any person.

(16) "Negligent treatment or maltreatment" means an act or omission which evidences a serious disregard of consequences of such magnitude as to constitute a clear and present danger to the child's health, welfare, and safety. The fact that siblings share a bedroom is not, in and of itself, "negligent treatment or maltreatment."

(17) "Developmentally disabled person" means a person who has a disability defined in RCW 71A.10.020.

(18) "Child protective services" means those services provided by the department designed to protect children from child abuse and neglect and safeguard such children from future abuse and neglect, and conduct investigations of child abuse and neglect reports. Investigations may be conducted regardless of the location of the alleged abuse or neglect. Child protective services includes referral to services to ameliorate conditions which endanger the welfare of children, the coordination of necessary programs and services relevant to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, and services to children to ensure that each child has a permanent home. In determining whether protective services should be provided, the department shall not decline to provide such services solely because of the child's unwillingness or developmental inability to describe the nature and severity of the abuse or neglect.

(19) "Malice" or "maliciously" means an evil intent, wish, or design to vex, annoy, or injure another person. Such malice may be inferred from an act done in wilful disregard of the rights of another, or an act wrongfully done without just cause or excuse, or an act or omission of duty betraying a wilful disregard of social duty.

(20) "Sexually aggressive youth" means a child who is defined in RCW 74.13.075(1)(b) as being a "sexually aggressive youth."

(21) "Unfounded" means available ((~~evidence~~)) information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect did not occur.

Sec. 9. RCW 26.44.100 and 1997 c 282 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds parents and children often are not aware of their due process rights when agencies are investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect. The legislature reaffirms that all citizens, including parents, shall be afforded due process, that protection of children remains the priority of the legislature, and that this protection includes protecting the family unit from unnecessary disruption. To facilitate this goal, the legislature wishes to ensure that parents and children be advised in writing and orally, if feasible, of their basic rights and other specific information as set forth in this chapter, provided that nothing contained in this chapter shall cause any delay in protective custody action.

(2) The department shall notify the alleged perpetrator of the allegations of child abuse and neglect at the earliest possible point in the investigation that will not jeopardize the safety and protection of the child or the investigation process.

Whenever the department completes an investigation of a child abuse or neglect report under chapter 26.44 RCW, the department shall notify the alleged perpetrator of the report and the department's investigative findings. The notice shall also advise the alleged perpetrator that:

(a) A written response to the report may be provided to the department and that such response will be filed in the record following receipt by the department;

(b) Information in the department's record may be considered in subsequent investigations or proceedings related to child protection or child custody;

(c) ((~~There is currently information in the department's record that may~~)) Founded reports of child abuse and neglect may be considered in determining ((~~that~~)) whether the person is disqualified from being licensed to provide child care, employed by a licensed child care agency, or authorized by the department to care for children; and

(d) ((A person who has demonstrated a good-faith desire to work in a licensed agency may request an informal meeting with the department to have an opportunity to discuss and contest the information currently in the record.)) An alleged perpetrator named in a founded report of child abuse or neglect has the right to seek review of the finding as provided in this chapter.

(3) The notification required by this section shall be made by ((~~regular~~)) certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person's last known address.

(4) The duty of notification created by this section is subject to the ability of the department to ascertain the location of the person to be notified. The department shall exercise reasonable, good-faith efforts to ascertain the location of persons entitled to notification under this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 26.44 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A person who is named as an alleged perpetrator after October 1, 1998, in a founded report of child abuse or neglect has the right to seek review and amendment of the finding as provided in this section.

(2) Within twenty calendar days after receiving written notice from the department under RCW 26.44.100 that a person is named as an alleged perpetrator in a founded report of child abuse or neglect, he or she may request that the department review the finding. The request must be made in writing. If a request for review is not made as provided in this subsection, the alleged perpetrator may not further challenge the finding and shall have no right to agency review or to an adjudicative hearing or judicial review of the finding.

(3) Upon receipt of a written request for review, the department shall review and, if appropriate, may amend the finding. Management level staff within the children's administration designated by the secretary shall be responsible for the review. The review must be conducted in accordance with procedures the department establishes by rule. Upon completion of the review, the department shall notify the alleged perpetrator in writing of the agency's determination. The notification must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person's last known address.

(4) If, following agency review, the report remains founded, the person named as the alleged perpetrator in the report may request an adjudicative hearing to contest the finding. The adjudicative proceeding is governed by chapter 34.05 RCW and this section. The request for an adjudicative proceeding must be filed within thirty calendar days after receiving notice of the agency review determination. If a request for an adjudicative proceeding is not made as provided in this subsection, the alleged perpetrator may not further challenge the finding and shall have no right to agency review or to an adjudicative hearing or judicial review of the finding.

(5) Reviews and hearings conducted under this section are confidential and shall not be open to the public. Information about reports, reviews, and hearings may be disclosed only in accordance with federal and state laws pertaining to child welfare records and child protective services reports.

(6) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.

Sec. 11. RCW 74.13.031 and 1997 c 386 s 32 and 1997 c 272 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

The department shall have the duty to provide child welfare services and shall:

(1) Develop, administer, supervise, and monitor a coordinated and comprehensive plan that establishes, aids, and strengthens services for the protection and care of homeless, runaway, dependent, or neglected children.

(2) Within available resources, recruit an adequate number of prospective adoptive and foster homes, both regular and specialized, i.e. homes for children of ethnic minority, including Indian homes for Indian children, sibling groups, handicapped and emotionally disturbed, teens, pregnant and parenting teens, and annually report to the governor and the legislature concerning the department's success in: (a) Meeting the need for adoptive and foster home placements; (b) reducing the foster parent turnover rate; (c) completing home studies for legally free children; and (d) implementing and operating the passport program required by RCW 74.13.285. The report shall include a section entitled "Foster Home Turn-Over, Causes and Recommendations."

(3) Investigate complaints of ((~~alleged neglect, abuse, or abandonment of children~~)) any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, or sexual abuse or exploitation, or that presents an imminent risk of serious harm, and on the basis of the findings of such investigation, offer child welfare services in relation to the problem to such parents, legal custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis, and/or bring the situation to the attention of an appropriate court, or another community agency: PROVIDED, That an investigation is not required of nonaccidental injuries which are clearly not the result of a lack of care or supervision by the child's parents, legal custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis. If the investigation reveals that a crime against a child may have been committed, the department shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(4) Offer, on a voluntary basis, family reconciliation services to families who are in conflict.

(5) Monitor out-of-home placements, on a timely and routine basis, to assure the safety, well-being, and quality of care being provided is within the scope of the intent of the legislature as defined in RCW 74.13.010 and 74.15.010, and annually submit a report measuring the extent to which the department achieved the specified goals to the governor and the legislature.

(6) Have authority to accept custody of children from parents and to accept custody of children from juvenile courts, where authorized to do so under law, to provide child welfare services including placement for adoption, and to provide for the physical care of such children and make payment of maintenance costs if needed. Except where required by Public Law 95-608 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1915), no private adoption agency which receives children for adoption from the department shall discriminate on the basis of race, creed, or color when considering applications in their placement for adoption.

(7) Have authority to provide temporary shelter to children who have run away from home and who are admitted to crisis residential centers.

(8) Have authority to purchase care for children; and shall follow in general the policy of using properly approved private agency services for the actual care and supervision of such children insofar as they are available, paying for care of such children as are accepted by the department as eligible for support at reasonable rates established by the department.

(9) Establish a children's services advisory committee which shall assist the secretary in the development of a partnership plan for utilizing resources of the public and private sectors, and advise on all matters pertaining to child welfare, licensing of child care agencies, adoption, and services related thereto. At least one member shall represent the adoption community.

(10) Have authority to provide continued foster care or group care for individuals from eighteen through twenty years of age to enable them to complete their high school or vocational school program.

(11) Have authority within funds appropriated for foster care services to purchase care for Indian children who are in the custody of a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribally licensed child-placing agency pursuant to parental consent, tribal court order, or state juvenile court order; and the purchase of such care shall be subject to the same eligibility standards and rates of support applicable to other children for whom the department purchases care.

Notwithstanding any other provision of RCW 13.32A.170 through 13.32A.200 and 74.13.032 through 74.13.036, or of this section all services to be provided by the department of social and health services under subsections (4), (6), and (7) of this section, subject to the limitations of these subsections, may be provided by any program offering such services funded pursuant to Titles II and III of the federal juvenile justice and delinquency prevention act of 1974.

Sec. 12. RCW 70.190.010 and 1996 c 132 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Administrative costs" means the costs associated with procurement; payroll processing; personnel functions; management; maintenance and operation of space and property; data processing and computer services; accounting; budgeting; auditing; indirect costs; and organizational planning, consultation, coordination, and training.

(2) "Assessment" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 43.70.010.

(3) "At-risk" children are children who engage in or are victims of at-risk behaviors.

(4) "At-risk behaviors" means violent delinquent acts, teen substance abuse, teen pregnancy and male parentage, teen suicide attempts, dropping out of school, child abuse or neglect, and domestic violence.

(5) "Community public health and safety networks" or "networks" means the organizations authorized under RCW 70.190.060.

(6) "Comprehensive plan" means a two-year plan that examines available resources and unmet needs for a county or multicounty area, barriers that limit the effective use of resources, and a plan to address these issues that is broadly supported by local residents.

(7) "Participating state agencies" means the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the department of social and health services, the department of health, the employment security department, the department of community, trade, and economic development, and such other departments as may be specifically designated by the governor.

(8) "Family policy council" or "council" means the superintendent of public instruction, the secretary of social and health services, the secretary of health, the commissioner of the employment security department, and the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development or their designees, ((~~one~~)) two legislators from each caucus of the senate and house of representatives, and one representative of the governor.

(9) "Fiduciary interest" means (a) the right to compensation from a health, educational, social service, or justice system organization that receives public funds, or (b) budgetary or policy-making authority for an organization listed in (a) of this subsection. A person who acts solely in an advisory capacity and receives no compensation from a health, educational, social service, or justice system organization, and who has no budgetary or policy-making authority is deemed to have no fiduciary interest in the organization.

(10) "Outcome" or "outcome based" means defined and measurable outcomes used to evaluate progress in reducing the rate of at-risk children and youth through reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors.

(11) "Matching funds" means an amount no less than twenty-five percent of the amount budgeted for a network. The network's matching funds may be in-kind goods and services. Funding sources allowable for match include appropriate federal or local levy funds, private charitable funding, and other charitable giving. Basic education funds shall not be used as a match. State general funds shall not be used as a match for violence reduction and drug enforcement account funds created under RCW 69.50.520.

(12) "Policy development" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 43.70.010.

(13) "Protective factors" means those factors determined by the department of health to be empirically associated with behaviors that contribute to socially acceptable and healthy nonviolent behaviors. Protective factors include promulgation, identification, and acceptance of community norms regarding appropriate behaviors in the area of delinquency, early sexual activity, alcohol and substance abuse, educational opportunities, employment opportunities, and absence of crime.

(14) "Risk factors" means those factors determined by the department of health to be empirically associated with at-risk behaviors that contribute to violence.

Sec. 13. RCW 70.190.060 and 1996 c 132 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature authorizes community public health and safety networks to reconnect parents and other citizens with children, youth, families, and community institutions which support health and safety. The networks have only those powers and duties expressly authorized under this chapter. The networks should empower parents and other citizens by being a means of expressing their attitudes, spirit, and perspectives regarding safe and healthy family and community life. The legislature intends that parent and other citizen perspectives exercise a controlling influence over policy and program operations of professional organizations concerned with children and family issues within networks in a manner consistent with the Constitution and state law. It is not the intent of the legislature that health, social service, or educational professionals dominate community public health and safety network processes or programs, but rather that these professionals use their skills to lend support to parents and other citizens in expressing their values as parents and other citizens identify community needs and establish community priorities. To this end, the legislature intends full participation of parents and other citizens in community public health and safety networks. The intent is that local community values are reflected in the operations of the network.

(2) A group of persons described in subsection (3) of this section may apply to be a community public health and safety network.

(3) Each community public health and safety network shall be composed of twenty-three people, thirteen of whom shall be citizens who live within the network boundary with no fiduciary interest. In selecting these members, first priority shall be given to members of community mobilization advisory boards, city or county children's services commissions, human services advisory boards, or other such organizations. The thirteen persons shall be selected as follows: Three by chambers of commerce, three by school board members, three by county legislative authorities, three by city legislative authorities, and one high school student, selected by student organizations. The remaining ten members shall live or work within the network boundary and shall include local representation selected by the following groups and entities: Cities; counties; federally recognized Indian tribes; parks and recreation programs; law enforcement agencies; state children's service workers; employment assistance workers; private social service providers, broad-based nonsecular organizations, or health service providers; and public education.

(4) Each of the twenty-three people who are members of each community public health and safety network must sign an annual declaration under penalty of perjury or a notarized statement that clearly, in plain and understandable language, states whether or not he or she has a fiduciary interest. If a member has a fiduciary interest, the nature of that interest must be made clear, in plain understandable language, on the signed statement.

(5) Members of the network shall serve terms of three years.

The terms of the initial members of each network shall be as follows: (a) One-third shall serve for one year; (b) one-third shall serve for two years; and (c) one-third shall serve for three years. Initial members may agree which shall serve fewer than three years or the decision may be made by lot. Any vacancy occurring during the term may be filled by the chair for the balance of the unexpired term.

((~~(5)~~)) (6) Not less than sixty days before the expiration of a network member's term, the chair shall submit the name of a nominee to the network for its approval. The network shall comply with subsection (3) of this section.

((~~(6)~~)) (7) Networks are subject to the open public meetings act under chapter 42.30 RCW and the public records provisions of RCW 42.17.270 through 42.17.310.

Sec. 14. RCW 70.190.130 and 1996 c 132 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The council shall only disburse funds to a network after a comprehensive plan has been prepared by the network and approved by the council. In approving the plan the council shall consider whether the network:

(a) Promoted input from the widest practical range of agencies and affected parties, including public hearings;

(b) Reviewed the indicators of violence data compiled by the local public health departments and incorporated a response to those indicators in the plan;

(c) Obtained a declaration by the largest health department within the network boundary, indicating whether the plan meets minimum standards for assessment and policy development relating to social development according to RCW 43.70.555;

(d) Included a specific mechanism of data collection and transmission based on the rules established under RCW 43.70.555;

(e) Considered all relevant causes of violence in its community and did not isolate only one or a few of the elements to the exclusion of others and demonstrated evidence of building community capacity through effective neighborhood and community development;

(f) Considered youth employment and job training programs outlined in this chapter as a strategy to reduce the rate of at-risk children and youth;

(g) Integrated local programs that met the network's priorities and were deemed successful by the network;

(h) Committed to make measurable reductions in the rate of at-risk children and youth by reducing the rate of state-funded out-of-home placements and make reductions in at least three of the following rates of youth: Violent criminal acts, substance abuse, pregnancy and male parentage, suicide attempts, dropping out of school, child abuse or neglect, and domestic violence; and

(i) Held a public hearing on its proposed comprehensive plan and submitted to the council all of the written comments received at the hearing and a copy of the minutes taken at the hearing.

(2) The council may establish a maximum amount to be expended by a network for purposes of planning and administrative duties((~~, that shall not, in total, exceed ten percent of funds available to a network~~)). The council shall determine, as needed, the appropriate maximum amount that can be spent by a network or group of networks on planning and administrative duties. This amount shall be determined after considering the size of the budgets of each network and giving consideration to setting a higher percentage for administrative and planning purposes in budgets for smaller networks and a smaller percentage of the budgets for administration and planning purposes in larger networks.

(3) The council may determine that a network is not in compliance with this chapter if it fails to comply with statutory requirements. Upon a determination of noncompliance, the council may suspend or revoke a network's status or contract and specify a process and deadline for the network's compliance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. The legislature finds that it is critically important to the basic nurture, health, and safety of children that the state operate a state-wide program relating to child abuse and neglect that includes the creation of regional citizen review panels. The creation of these panels is intended to meet the federal requirements contained in the federal child abuse prevention and treatment act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5106a. Citizen review panels will enable community members to contribute to improving the policy and programs critical to the well-being of children and their families and to ensure that the state's plan for the prevention and investigation of child abuse and neglect is being carried out as intended by the legislature. It has been long-standing public policy in Washington that the family unit is a fundamental resource of American life which should be nurtured. Toward continuation of this principle, the legislature finds that through the performance of these panels, which are broadly representative of the community, knowledge of the policies and procedures of state and local agencies and an examination of specific cases will occur. From this an evaluation of the state-wide program to prevent child abuse and neglect will yield improvements that are in the best interest of children and families and further the principle that the family unit should remain intact, recognizing that the child's health and safety are paramount.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. There are hereby created a minimum of six citizen review panels, at least one for each service delivery region of the department of social and health services. The department of community, trade, and economic development shall contract with a private nonprofit organization to serve as the administrator for and the appointing authority of the citizen review panels. The department or its contractor shall provide administrative coordination and support to the local citizen review panels and shall:

(1) Recruit applicants through public service announcements in local radio, television, and newspapers of record and accept application on a first-come basis based on postmarked date of receipt;

(2) Obtain background checks, screening applicants on the same suitability, character, and competence standards as required in RCW 74.15.130;

(3) Select citizen review panel members for each region and establish basic requirements for participation;

(4) Stagger the terms of membership on each panel so that there is always a quorum of members who have had at least six months' experience and have participated in at least two meetings of the panel;

(5) Provide consultation and basic training to local panels as requested;

(6) Compile and provide aggregate citizen review panel reports;

(7) Consider recommendations of local teams; and

(8) Ensure that they meet at least every three months.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. The department shall ensure that the citizen review panels have been created no later than July 1, 1999.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. (1) The citizen review panels shall have only those powers and duties expressly authorized under this chapter.

(2) The citizen review panels must have access to all information from the department of social and health services, criminal justice agencies, law enforcement, schools, and medical providers, and other sources that have relevant information, including reports and records made and maintained by the department and its contracting agencies.

(3) The panels shall receive, upon request and with the full assistance of the agency with the information, complete access to information on cases that the panel desires to review if such information is necessary for the panel to carry out its duties.

(4) The citizen review panels must preserve the confidentiality of all records in order to protect the rights of the child and of the child's parents or guardians. However, the state shall always have the right to refuse to disclose identifying information concerning the individual alleging suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. The state must make such information known to the citizen review panel only where a court orders such disclosure after such court has reviewed, in camera, the record of the state related to the report or complaint and has found it has reason to believe that the reporter knowingly made a false report.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. The powers and duties of the citizen review panels are to:

(1) Examine the policies and procedures of state agencies and, where appropriate, specific cases, to evaluate the extent to which the agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities according to the state law and the state plan required under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5106a. These responsibilities may include a review of any of the following:

(a) The extent to which the state agencies and community-based programs have developed the capacity to integrate shared leadership strategies between parents and professionals to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect at the neighborhood level;

(b) Intake, assessment, and screening, and investigation processes for reports of child abuse and neglect;

(d) Legal preparation and representation of both children and families;

(e) Case management and service delivery systems for children and families;

(f) Risk and safety assessment tools and protocols;

(g) Automation systems that support the program and track reports of child abuse and neglect from intake through final disposition, including information referral systems;

(h) Training opportunities and requirements for individuals overseeing and providing services to children and their families through the child protective and child welfare systems;

(i) Training protocols for individuals mandated to report child abuse and neglect;

(j) Child abuse and neglect prevention, treatment, and research programs in the public and private sectors;

(k) Information, education programs, and training programs to improve the provision of service to infants with chronic disabilities or life-threatening conditions;

(l) Programs to assist in obtaining or coordinating necessary services for families of infants with disabilities or life-threatening conditions;

(m) Coordination, to the maximum extent practicable with the state plan under part B, Title IV of the Social Security Act relating to child welfare services, including adoption, and family preservation and family support services.

(2) Examine child protection standards set forth in the federal and state law, including but not limited to standards for reporting of known and suspected abuse and neglect, immediate screening, safety assessment, and prompt investigation, steps to protect the safety of abused or neglected children, immunity from prosecution for individuals who make good faith reports of suspected or known instances of abuse or neglect, methods to preserve confidentiality of records, provisions to allow for public disclosure of findings or information about cases of abuse and neglect that result in child fatality or near fatality, and the cooperation of law enforcement officials, courts of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate state agencies providing human services in the investigation, assessment, prosecution, and treatment of abuse and neglect;

(3) Examine any other criteria that the panel considers important to ensure the protection of children, including a review of the extent to which the state child protective services system is coordinated with the foster care and adoption programs established under part E, Title IV of the Social Security Act.

(4) Conduct a review of reports of child fatalities and near fatalities conducted under RCW 26.44.030.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 20. There shall be at least one citizen review panel in each of the six department of social and health services' designated service delivery regions. Each panel shall have no more than seven volunteer members who are all permanent residents living in the region, who broadly represent the region in which each panel is established. Three members shall have professional or academic expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Four members shall be members of the public at large with no fiduciary interest in publicly funded social services. "Fiduciary interest" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70.190.010. Volunteer members of the local citizen review panels shall serve for no longer than an eighteen-month period of time and can not serve again for a period of sixty months from the date they end their eighteen-month membership. The citizen review panel shall meet no less than once every three months to examine the policies and procedures of state and local agencies and, where appropriate in specific cases, evaluate the extent to which the agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities in accordance with applicable state law. The goal of the citizen review panels is to improve the child protective services system.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 21. The department of community, trade, and economic development shall present proposed rules, policies, and procedures to the legislative children's oversight committee created in RCW 44.04.220 prior to implementation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. The citizen review panels shall employ staff as necessary which may include contracting for investigators only as necessary to assist the panel in fulfilling their responsibilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 23. Members and staff and any staff on contract with the citizen review panel shall not disclose to any person or government official, other than the department of social and health services or the family and children's ombudsman, any identifying information about any specific child protection case with respect to which the panel is provided information and shall not make public other information unless authorized by state statute. A violation of this section is a civil penalty punishable by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 24. (1) The citizen review panels may examine any child abuse and neglect case referred to the panel.

(2) Members of the legislature may refer child abuse and neglect cases, in writing, to the panel in the legislator's district for review. The panels may also receive written requests for review from the family and children's ombudsman and from the department of social and health services. No other entity or individual may refer cases to the citizen review panels.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 25. (1) Notwithstanding any confidentiality laws, if the citizen review panel finds possible criminal activity, the panel shall turn the investigation and information over to the local prosecuting attorney in the county in which the case resides.

(2) If the panel finds possible civil infractions, the panel shall turn the findings over to any interested citizen, if the conditions set forth in RCW 74.13.500 through 74.13.525 are met. The courts shall award attorney fees, costs, and triple damages, and may impose punitive damages if the citizens prevail in court.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 26. (1) All powers, duties, and functions of the department of community, trade, and economic development pertaining to entering into and administering contracts and implementation of rules, policies, and procedures pursuant to sections 16 and 21 of this act are transferred to the office of the family and children's ombudsman. All references to the director or the department of community, trade, and economic development in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director or the office of the family and children's ombudsman when referring to the functions transferred in this section.

(2)(a) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or written material in the possession of the department of community, trade, and economic development pertaining to the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be delivered to the custody of the office of the family and children's ombudsman. All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed by the department of community, trade, and economic development in carrying out the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be made available to the office of the family and children's ombudsman. All funds, credits, or other assets held in connection with the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be assigned to the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

(b) Any appropriations made to the department of community, trade, and economic development for carrying out the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall, on the effective date of this section, be transferred and credited to the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

(c) Whenever any question arises as to the transfer of any personnel, funds, books, documents, records, papers, files, equipment, or other tangible property used or held in the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties and functions transferred, the director of financial management shall make a determination as to the proper allocation and certify the same to the state agencies concerned.

(3) All employees of the department of community, trade, and economic development engaged in performing the powers, functions, and duties transferred are transferred to the jurisdiction of the office of the family and children's ombudsman. All employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the office of the family and children's ombudsman to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service.

(4) All rules and all pending business before the department of community, trade, and economic development pertaining to the powers, functions, and duties transferred shall be continued and acted upon by the office of the family and children's ombudsman. All existing contracts and obligations shall remain in full force and shall be performed by the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

(5) The transfer of the powers, duties, functions, and personnel of the department of community, trade, and economic development shall not affect the validity of any act performed before the effective date of this section.

(6) If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers directed by this section, the director of financial management shall certify the apportionments to the agencies affected, the state auditor, and the state treasurer. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with the certification.

(7) Nothing contained in this section may be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until the agreement has expired or until the bargaining unit has been modified by action of the personnel board as provided by law.

Sec. 27. RCW 44.04.220 and 1996 c 131 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is created the legislative children's oversight committee for the purpose of monitoring and ensuring compliance with administrative acts, relevant statutes, rules, and policies pertaining to family and children services and the placement, supervision, and treatment of children in the state's care or in state-licensed facilities or residences. The committee shall consist of three senators and three representatives from the legislature. The senate members of the committee shall be appointed by the president of the senate. The house members of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker of the house. Not more than two members from each chamber shall be from the same political party. Members shall be appointed before the close of each regular session of the legislature during an odd-numbered year.

(2) The committee shall have the following powers:

(a) Selection of its officers and adopt rules for orderly procedure;

(b) Request investigations by the ombudsman of administrative acts;

(d)(i) Obtain access to all relevant records in the possession of the ombudsman, except as prohibited by law; and (ii) make recommendations to all branches of government;

(e) Request legislation;

(f) Conduct hearings into such matters as it deems necessary.

(3) Upon receipt of records from the ombudsman, the committee is subject to the same confidentiality restrictions as the ombudsman under RCW 43.06A.050.

(4) The committee may also review any proposed rules, policies, or procedures relating to the citizen review panels created under section 16 of this act.

Sec. 28. RCW 13.50.010 and 1997 c 386 s 21 and 1997 c 338 s 39 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) For purposes of this chapter:

(a) "Juvenile justice or care agency" means any of the following: Police, diversion units, court, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, detention center, attorney general, the legislative children's oversight committee, the office of family and children's ombudsman, members of the citizen review panels created under section 16 of this act, including the contracting agency, and the panel's staff and contractors, the department of social and health services and its contracting agencies, schools; and, in addition, persons or public or private agencies having children committed to their custody;

(b) "Official juvenile court file" means the legal file of the juvenile court containing the petition or information, motions, memorandums, briefs, findings of the court, and court orders;

(d) "Records" means the official juvenile court file, the social file, and records of any other juvenile justice or care agency in the case.

(2) Each petition or information filed with the court may include only one juvenile and each petition or information shall be filed under a separate docket number. The social file shall be filed separately from the official juvenile court file.

(3) It is the duty of any juvenile justice or care agency to maintain accurate records. To this end:

(a) The agency may never knowingly record inaccurate information. Any information in records maintained by the department of social and health services relating to a petition filed pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW that is found by the court, upon proof presented, to be false or inaccurate shall be corrected or expunged from such records by the agency;

(b) An agency shall take reasonable steps to assure the security of its records and prevent tampering with them; and

(c) An agency shall make reasonable efforts to insure the completeness of its records, including action taken by other agencies with respect to matters in its files.

(4) Each juvenile justice or care agency shall implement procedures consistent with the provisions of this chapter to facilitate inquiries concerning records.

(5) Any person who has reasonable cause to believe information concerning that person is included in the records of a juvenile justice or care agency and who has been denied access to those records by the agency may make a motion to the court for an order authorizing that person to inspect the juvenile justice or care agency record concerning that person. The court shall grant the motion to examine records unless it finds that in the interests of justice or in the best interests of the juvenile the records or parts of them should remain confidential.

(6) A juvenile, or his or her parents, or any person who has reasonable cause to believe information concerning that person is included in the records of a juvenile justice or care agency may make a motion to the court challenging the accuracy of any information concerning the moving party in the record or challenging the continued possession of the record by the agency. If the court grants the motion, it shall order the record or information to be corrected or destroyed.

(7) The person making a motion under subsection (5) or (6) of this section shall give reasonable notice of the motion to all parties to the original action and to any agency whose records will be affected by the motion.

(8) The court may permit inspection of records by, or release of information to, any clinic, hospital, or agency which has the subject person under care or treatment. The court may also permit inspection by or release to individuals or agencies, including juvenile justice advisory committees of county law and justice councils, engaged in legitimate research for educational, scientific, or public purposes. The court may also permit inspection of, or release of information from, records which have been sealed pursuant to RCW 13.50.050(11). The court shall release to the sentencing guidelines commission records needed for its research and data-gathering functions under RCW 9.94A.040 and other statutes. Access to records or information for research purposes shall be permitted only if the anonymity of all persons mentioned in the records or information will be preserved. Each person granted permission to inspect juvenile justice or care agency records for research purposes shall present a notarized statement to the court stating that the names of juveniles and parents will remain confidential.

(9) Juvenile detention facilities shall release records to the sentencing guidelines commission under RCW 9.94A.040 upon request. The commission shall not disclose the names of any juveniles or parents mentioned in the records without the named individual's written permission.

(10) Requirements in this chapter relating to the court's authority to compel disclosure shall not apply to the legislative children's oversight committee or the office of the family and children's ombudsman.

Sec. 29. RCW 70.47.060 and 1997 c 337 s 2, 1997 c 335 s 2, 1997 c 245 s 6, and 1997 c 231 s 206 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

The administrator has the following powers and duties:

(1) To design and from time to time revise a schedule of covered basic health care services, including physician services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, prescription drugs and medications, and other services that may be necessary for basic health care. In addition, the administrator may, to the extent that funds are available, offer as basic health plan services chemical dependency services, mental health services and organ transplant services; however, no one service or any combination of these three services shall increase the actuarial value of the basic health plan benefits by more than five percent excluding inflation, as determined by the office of financial management. All subsidized and nonsubsidized enrollees in any participating managed health care system under the Washington basic health plan shall be entitled to receive covered basic health care services in return for premium payments to the plan. The schedule of services shall emphasize proven preventive and primary health care and shall include all services necessary for prenatal, postnatal, and well-child care. However, with respect to coverage for groups of subsidized enrollees who are eligible to receive prenatal and postnatal services through the medical assistance program under chapter 74.09 RCW, the administrator shall not contract for such services except to the extent that such services are necessary over not more than a one-month period in order to maintain continuity of care after diagnosis of pregnancy by the managed care provider. The schedule of services shall also include a separate schedule of basic health care services for children, eighteen years of age and younger, for those subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollees who choose to secure basic coverage through the plan only for their dependent children. In designing and revising the schedule of services, the administrator shall consider the guidelines for assessing health services under the mandated benefits act of 1984, RCW ((~~48.42.080~~)) 48.47.030, and such other factors as the administrator deems appropriate.

However, with respect to coverage for subsidized enrollees who are eligible to receive prenatal and postnatal services through the medical assistance program under chapter 74.09 RCW, the administrator shall not contract for such services except to the extent that the services are necessary over not more than a one-month period in order to maintain continuity of care after diagnosis of pregnancy by the managed care provider.

(2)(a) To design and implement a structure of periodic premiums due the administrator from subsidized enrollees that is based upon gross family income, giving appropriate consideration to family size and the ages of all family members. The enrollment of children shall not require the enrollment of their parent or parents who are eligible for the plan. The structure of periodic premiums shall be applied to subsidized enrollees entering the plan as individuals pursuant to subsection (9) of this section and to the share of the cost of the plan due from subsidized enrollees entering the plan as employees pursuant to subsection (10) of this section.

(b) To determine the periodic premiums due the administrator from nonsubsidized enrollees. Premiums due from nonsubsidized enrollees shall be in an amount equal to the cost charged by the managed health care system provider to the state for the plan plus the administrative cost of providing the plan to those enrollees and the premium tax under RCW 48.14.0201.

(c) An employer or other financial sponsor may, with the prior approval of the administrator, pay the premium, rate, or any other amount on behalf of a subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollee, by arrangement with the enrollee and through a mechanism acceptable to the administrator.

(d) To develop, as an offering by every health carrier providing coverage identical to the basic health plan, as configured on January 1, 1996, a basic health plan model plan with uniformity in enrollee cost-sharing requirements.

(3) To design and implement a structure of enrollee cost sharing due a managed health care system from subsidized and nonsubsidized enrollees. The structure shall discourage inappropriate enrollee utilization of health care services, and may utilize copayments, deductibles, and other cost-sharing mechanisms, but shall not be so costly to enrollees as to constitute a barrier to appropriate utilization of necessary health care services.

(4) To limit enrollment of persons who qualify for subsidies so as to prevent an overexpenditure of appropriations for such purposes. Whenever the administrator finds that there is danger of such an overexpenditure, the administrator shall close enrollment until the administrator finds the danger no longer exists.

(5) To limit the payment of subsidies to subsidized enrollees, as defined in RCW 70.47.020. The level of subsidy provided to persons who qualify may be based on the lowest cost plans, as defined by the administrator.

(6) To adopt a schedule for the orderly development of the delivery of services and availability of the plan to residents of the state, subject to the limitations contained in RCW 70.47.080 or any act appropriating funds for the plan.

(7) To solicit and accept applications from managed health care systems, as defined in this chapter, for inclusion as eligible basic health care providers under the plan. The administrator shall endeavor to assure that covered basic health care services are available to any enrollee of the plan from among a selection of two or more participating managed health care systems. In adopting any rules or procedures applicable to managed health care systems and in its dealings with such systems, the administrator shall consider and make suitable allowance for the need for health care services and the differences in local availability of health care resources, along with other resources, within and among the several areas of the state. Contracts with participating managed health care systems shall ensure that basic health plan enrollees who become eligible for medical assistance may, at their option, continue to receive services from their existing providers within the managed health care system if such providers have entered into provider agreements with the department of social and health services.

(8) To receive periodic premiums from or on behalf of subsidized and nonsubsidized enrollees, deposit them in the basic health plan operating account, keep records of enrollee status, and authorize periodic payments to managed health care systems on the basis of the number of enrollees participating in the respective managed health care systems.

(9) To accept applications from individuals residing in areas served by the plan, on behalf of themselves and their spouses and dependent children, for enrollment in the Washington basic health plan as subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollees, to establish appropriate minimum-enrollment periods for enrollees as may be necessary, and to determine, upon application and on a reasonable schedule defined by the authority, or at the request of any enrollee, eligibility due to current gross family income for sliding scale premiums. Funds received by a family as part of participation in the adoption support program authorized under RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13.100 through 74.13.145 shall not be counted toward a family's current gross family income for the purposes of this chapter. No subsidy may be paid with respect to any enrollee whose current gross family income exceeds twice the federal poverty level or, subject to RCW 70.47.110, who is a recipient of medical assistance or medical care services under chapter 74.09 RCW. If, as a result of an eligibility review, the administrator determines that a subsidized enrollee's income exceeds twice the federal poverty level and that the enrollee knowingly failed to inform the plan of such increase in income, the administrator may bill the enrollee for the subsidy paid on the enrollee's behalf during the period of time that the enrollee's income exceeded twice the federal poverty level. If a number of enrollees drop their enrollment for no apparent good cause, the administrator may establish appropriate rules or requirements that are applicable to such individuals before they will be allowed to reenroll in the plan.

(10) To accept applications from business owners on behalf of themselves and their employees, spouses, and dependent children, as subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollees, who reside in an area served by the plan. The administrator may require all or the substantial majority of the eligible employees of such businesses to enroll in the plan and establish those procedures necessary to facilitate the orderly enrollment of groups in the plan and into a managed health care system. The administrator may require that a business owner pay at least an amount equal to what the employee pays after the state pays its portion of the subsidized premium cost of the plan on behalf of each employee enrolled in the plan. Enrollment is limited to those not eligible for medicare who wish to enroll in the plan and choose to obtain the basic health care coverage and services from a managed care system participating in the plan. The administrator shall adjust the amount determined to be due on behalf of or from all such enrollees whenever the amount negotiated by the administrator with the participating managed health care system or systems is modified or the administrative cost of providing the plan to such enrollees changes.

(11) To determine the rate to be paid to each participating managed health care system in return for the provision of covered basic health care services to enrollees in the system. Although the schedule of covered basic health care services will be the same for similar enrollees, the rates negotiated with participating managed health care systems may vary among the systems. In negotiating rates with participating systems, the administrator shall consider the characteristics of the populations served by the respective systems, economic circumstances of the local area, the need to conserve the resources of the basic health plan trust account, and other factors the administrator finds relevant.

(12) To monitor the provision of covered services to enrollees by participating managed health care systems in order to assure enrollee access to good quality basic health care, to require periodic data reports concerning the utilization of health care services rendered to enrollees in order to provide adequate information for evaluation, and to inspect the books and records of participating managed health care systems to assure compliance with the purposes of this chapter. In requiring reports from participating managed health care systems, including data on services rendered enrollees, the administrator shall endeavor to minimize costs, both to the managed health care systems and to the plan. The administrator shall coordinate any such reporting requirements with other state agencies, such as the insurance commissioner and the department of health, to minimize duplication of effort.

(13) To evaluate the effects this chapter has on private employer-based health care coverage and to take appropriate measures consistent with state and federal statutes that will discourage the reduction of such coverage in the state.

(14) To develop a program of proven preventive health measures and to integrate it into the plan wherever possible and consistent with this chapter.

(15) To provide, consistent with available funding, assistance for rural residents, underserved populations, and persons of color.

(16) In consultation with appropriate state and local government agencies, to establish criteria defining eligibility for persons confined or residing in government-operated institutions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 30. Section 10 of this act takes effect October 1, 1998.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 31. Section 26 of this act takes effect January 1, 2001."

SHB 2556 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Human Services & Corrections

ADOPTED AS AMENDED 3/5/98

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "families act;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 13.34.020, 13.34.130, 13.34.180, 13.34.190, 74.15.130, 26.44.100, 70.190.010, 70.190.060, 70.190.130, and 44.04.220; reenacting and amending RCW 13.34.145, 26.44.020, 74.13.031, 13.50.010, and 70.47.060; adding a new section to chapter 13.34 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 26.44 RCW; creating new sections; prescribing penalties; and providing effective dates."