HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1810

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                 Children & Family Services

Title:  An act relating to technical amendments concerning the child abuse protection and treatment act.

Brief Description:  Amending the child abuse protection and treatment act.

Sponsors:  Representatives Boldt and Tokuda; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Children & Family Services:  2/17/99, 2/24/99 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$The Department of Social and Health Services is authorized to release information about child abuse and neglect investigations when the child is the victim of a near-fatality.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives D. Sommers, Republican Co-Chair; Tokuda, Democratic Co-Chair; Boldt, Republican Vice Chair; Kagi, Democratic Vice Chair; Campbell; Carrell; Dickerson; Eickmeyer; Kastama and Pflug.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

The Department of Social and Health Services is required to disclose information regarding the abuse or neglect of a child, the investigation of the abuse or neglect, and any services related to the abuse or neglect under certain circumstances.

Summary of Bill:

The department will also disclose the required information in cases where the child is the victim of a near-fatality.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: The federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act requires states to release information to the public when a child is the victim of a near-fatality.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:  (In support)  Carole Holland, Department of Social and Health Services.