HB 2761

SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2761

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.

As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 21, 2008

Title: An act relating to renaming the children's trust of Washington as the council for children and families.

Brief Description: Renaming the children's trust of Washington as the council for children and families.

Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Kagi, Walsh, Pettigrew, Haler and Kenney; by request of Children's Trust of Washington.

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell and Marr.

Background: The Legislature established the Washington Council on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (WCPCAN) in 1982. WCPCAN is comprised of 15 members who are charged with contracting with organizations or individuals for the establishment of programs designed to reduce the occurrence of child abuse and neglect. WCPCAN is funded by the State General Fund, the federal Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Program Grant, the Children's Trust Fund, and private donations.

In 2007 Substitute Senate Bill 5830 renamed WCPCAN as the Children's Trust of Washington. Once the name change took effect, and after discussions with the Children's Trust Foundation, WCPCAN made the decision to go through a re-branding process. After research, consultation from Pyramid Communications, and gathering stakeholder input, the WCPCAN decided to rename itself the Council for Children and Families.

Summary of Bill: The Children's Trust of Washington is renamed the Council for Children and Families. All sections in the Revised Code of Washington are amended to reflect this change.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Last year when WPCAN changed its name, they checked to make sure the name they changed to was not being used by another group. The information they received was that the name was okay. However, after the legislation passed last year, they discovered that the name they had chosen, which was approved by the Legislature, was being used. After the other group threatened litigation, WPCAN met during the interim and chose another name. They engaged a private firm to determine that this name was appropriate, and they were assured that it was.