SENATE BILL REPORT

                 E2SHB 2439

                    As of February 22, 2000

Title:  An act relating to family reconciliation services.

Brief Description:  Revising the family reconciliation process.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Tokuda, Kagi, D. Sommers, Lovick, Kessler, Regala, Kenney, Cooper, Ogden, Eickmeyer, Murray, Schual‑Berke, Stensen, Edmonds, Santos, Lantz, Wood and Benson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/22/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Jennifer Strus (786-7484)

Background:  An at-risk youth (ARY) petition may only be filed by a parent; a Children in Need Services (CHINS) petition may be filed by a parent, the department or the child.  If both an ARY and CHINS petition are filed, the petitions are consolidated into an ARY petition.  According to proponents of the bill, many parents are confused by the different petition processes.

Summary of Bill:  The provisions of CHINS and ARY are combined into one process called an at-risk youth petition.  The juvenile court may order a risk and needs assessment at any time, subject to available resources.  The Department of Social and Health Services must publish and distribute a manual designed to inform and assist parents and children who may be in need of family reconciliation services and interested in filing an at-risk youth petition.  The manual must be widely distributed and made available to the public at no cost.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.  New fiscal note requested on February 18, 2000.

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