H-2204.1 _______________________________________________
SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1249
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State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Boldt, Ballasiotes, Tokuda, Dickerson, Gombosky, Darneille, Morell, Anderson, Schual‑Berke, Esser, McIntire, Doumit, Kenney, Clements, Edwards, Fromhold, Miloscia, Barlean, Talcott, Ruderman, Conway, Kessler, Ogden, Lovick, D. Schmidt, O'Brien, Edmonds, Wood and Haigh)
Read first time . Referred to Committee on .
AN ACT Relating to the quality of foster care services; adding new sections to chapter 74.13 RCW; and recodifying RCW 74.13.290, 74.14A.050, 74.13.320, 74.13.325, 74.14B.020, 74.13.250, 74.13.310, 74.13.260, 74.13.280, 74.13.285, 74.13.300, 74.13.330, 74.13.270, 74.13.315, 74.13.335, 74.13.340, and 74.14B.080.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW, to be codified after RCW 74.13.230 under the subchapter heading "Foster Care", to read as follows:
The legislature finds that children and youth in foster care deserve to be provided with a safe, secure, and stable home along with the compassion and nurture of a foster family. The legislature recognizes that foster families open their homes and hearts to children whose families are in crisis, play a vital role in helping children and families heal and reconnect, and in launching children into successful adulthood.
Children in foster care deserve to be in homes that meet high quality standards that are assured through accountability. It is the intent of the legislature that children in foster care are supported in homes that meet their needs, and that foster parents are supported.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW, to be codified after RCW 74.13.010, to read as follows:
The legislature finds that accreditation by an independent entity improves the quality of services provided to children and families. Accreditation demonstrates an ongoing commitment to nationally recognized standards of best practice in child welfare and provides accountability for achieving outcome goals. Accreditation provides assurance that the organization delivers effective services that meet community needs.
Accreditation is a structured process designed to facilitate organizational change and improvement. Accreditation means persons served can expect greater participation in decisions that affect their cases, improved case management and documentation, and improved internal operations and accountability. Accreditation improves relationships with biological parents, foster and adoptive parents, providers, the courts, and members of the community.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW, to be codified after section 2 of this act, to read as follows:
In recognition of the value of accreditation in improving the child welfare services system, the legislature supports the department's efforts to seek full accreditation of all children's administration offices and establishes a goal of achieving accreditation by an independent entity by July 1, 2006.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
Nothing in this act shall be construed to create a private right of action or claim on the part of any individual or entity.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. RCW 74.13.290, 74.14A.050, 74.13.320, and 74.13.325 are each recodified as sections in chapter 74.13 RCW. These recodified sections are to be placed after section 1 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. RCW 74.14B.020, 74.13.250, 74.13.310, 74.13.260, 74.13.280, 74.13.285, 74.13.300, 74.13.330, 74.13.270, 74.13.315, 74.13.335, 74.13.340, and 74.14B.080 are each recodified as sections in chapter 74.13 RCW.
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