HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  SB 6703

Title:  An act relating to defining core services for victims of sexual assault.

Brief Description:  Including prevention for potential victims of sexual assault as a core treatment service for victims of sexual assault.

Sponsors:Senators Costa, Long, Hargrove, Winsley, Kline and Kohl‑Welles; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Meeting Date:February 22, 2000.

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

Background:  Current law requires that communities throughout the state provide appropriate services to sexual assault victims.

Mandated services are divided into two categories:  core services and specialized services. Community Sexual Assault Programs (CSAP) are required to provide all core services.  Core services consist of information and referral, crisis intervention, legal and medical advocacy, general advocacy, and system coordination.  

Providers who have been awarded bids, via a competitive regional bidding process, deliver specialized services.  Specialized services include support groups, therapy, medical examinations, and prevention education.  These services are provided as each region determines necessary.  Since implementation of this program, the number of prevention education programs has declined.  

Each region is guaranteed funding for the provision of both core and specialized services. Funding from various state sources is pooled and then divided among regions, according to a formula that accounts for individual community needs.   Increased funding will be available to the program through allocations resulting from the federal Violence Against Women Act.

Summary of Bill:  Senate Bill 6703 changes the classification of prevention education to a core (required) service.

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:Available.

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