HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 ESSB 6218

Title:  An act relating to technical and clarifying amendments to the family reconciliation act.

Brief Description:  Making technical and clarifying amendments to the family reconciliation act.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Long and Costa).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Meeting Date:February 23, 2000.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Deborah Frazier  (786-7152).

Background:  Since the Family Reconciliation Act was enacted, revisions have been made several times.  Often, the revisions did not reference each other or other affected statutes.

Summary of Bill:  The bill makes primarily technical and clarifying changes to the underlying statutes.  In addition, the following changes are made:

$deletes references to crimes for which an adult can be prosecuted if they involve a child in the commission of the crimes (Sec. 9);

$excludes HOPE centers explicitly from the list of out-of-home placement options (Sec. 19);

$codifies an existing uncodified intent section which states that the act recognizes resource limitations on counties and that the Department of Social and Health Services'  responsibilities are contingent upon available funds (Sec. 27);

$repeals a section requiring that certain parental preferences be considered in making foster care placement (Sec. 28); and,

$requires a report on the utilization of multi disciplinary teams, including recommendations on the creation and usefulness of the teams (Sec 26).

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:Available.

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