BILL REQ. #:  H-5020.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/10/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to family decision meetings; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that engaging families in decision making when their children are involved in the child welfare system generally improves the outcomes for children. By involving families in the decision-making process, it is anticipated that the number of out-of-home placements can be reduced, as well as the incidence of behavioral, physical, and mental health problems for individual children. For those children in out-of-home placements, the number of placements for individual children, the likelihood of placing individual children with siblings, and successful reunifications are expected to improve as a result of family engagement. Based on the experience in the state where families have been engaged in decision making, these improved outcomes will result in cost savings to the state as fewer and less costly services and supports for children and families are needed.
     (2) It is the intent of the legislature to encourage and support meaningful family involvement in the decision making related to planning for children involved in the child welfare system, in those instances where family is available and family involvement is in the best interest of the child.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By January 1, 2005, the department shall:
     (a) Consider options for the use of family decision meetings in cases in which a child is involved in the child welfare system;
     (b) Develop strategies for implementing a policy of meaningful family involvement throughout the state within existing resources; and
     (c) Present implementation recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding (a) and (b) of this subsection.
     (2) For the purposes of this section, "family decision meeting" means a family-focused intervention facilitated by dedicated professional staff that is designed to build and strengthen the natural caregiving system for the child. Family decision meetings may include, but are not limited to, family group conferences, family mediation, family support meetings, or other professionally recognized interventions that include extended family and rely upon the family to make shared decisions about planning for its children. The purpose of the family decision meeting is to establish a plan that provides for the safety and permanency needs of the child.