| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Health Care & Wellness Committee | |
HB 2698
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Granting discretion to the department of health with respect to federal funding for the prevention of teen pregnancy.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Loomis, Kagi, Walsh, Kirby, Williams, Seaquist, Pedersen, Green, Appleton, Springer, Upthegrove, Hunt, Nelson, Kenney, Schual-Berke, Wood, Hudgins, Santos, Ericks, Ormsby and Rolfes.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/23/08
Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).
Background:
As part of federal welfare reform, adopted in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996, $50 million in funds are made available annually to the states to be
used exclusively for abstinence education for adolescents. The states request the funding based
on a statutory formula related to the number of low-income children in the state. The states must
match every $4 of federal funds with $3 dollars of state funds. In 2007 43 states received
funding, according to the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
Washington welfare reform enacted in response to the federal law includes a statute directing the
Department of Health (DOH) to maximize federal funding for abstinence education programs by
making timely application for these federal funds. The DOH was also directed to contract with
entities qualified to provide abstinence education.
Summary of Bill:
The requirement related to maximizing federal funding for abstinence education programs is
modified. The DOH may, but is not required, to apply for abstinence education funds through
Title V Maternal and Child Health block grants made available under the federal Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
The requirement for the DOH to seek and accept local matching funds and to contract with
entities qualified to provide abstinence education programs is conditioned on receipt of federal
funding.
The statute's goal is to reduce teen pregnancy (replacing a reference to illegitimate births and
abortions).
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.