HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2377

As Reported by House Committee On:

Juvenile Justice & Family Law

Title: An act relating to reorganization of provisions concerning mental health services for minors.

Brief Description: Reorganizing provisions concerning mental health services for minors.

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick and Dickerson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Juvenile Justice & Family Law: 1/20/04, 1/27/04 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE & FAMILY LAW

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Dickerson, Chair; Pettigrew, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Hinkle, Lovick and Upthegrove.

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

Chapter 71.34 RCW establishes three alternative methods of obtaining mental health treatment for minors. First, a minor over the age of 13 may initiate and obtain mental health treatment. Second, a parent may initiate and obtain mental health treatment for his or her child under certain circumstances. Finally, the state may initiate mental health treatment for a minor under the Involuntary Treatment Act.

The statutes relating to the three forms of treatment are set out in Chapter 71.34 RCW. There currently is minimal organizational structure to the chapter.

Summary of Bill:

The bill reorganizes existing statutes into groupings in which related statutes are situated next to one another and organized under subheadings to identify the groupings. There are no substantive changes of law in the bill.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The reason we are dealing with this is because it has been confusing to parents. This is long overdue.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Lovick, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.