HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1810
As Passed Legislature
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].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/5/99, 97-0.
Senate Receded.
House Concurred.
Passed Legislature.
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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.
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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.
Courts are required to appoint a guardian ad litem for a child in a dependency proceeding if a party challenges a finding of the court.
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.