BILL REQ. #:  H-1006.1 

Read first time 01/17/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services.

     AN ACT Relating to home visitation services for families; amending RCW 43.121.015; adding new sections to chapter 43.121 RCW; and repealing RCW 43.70.530.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.121 RCW to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that the years from birth to three are critical in building the social, emotional, and cognitive developmental foundations of a young child. Research into the brain development of young children reveals that children are born learning. The legislature also finds that the farther behind children are in their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development the more difficult it will be for them to catch up. The legislature further finds that a significant number of children age birth to five years are born with two or more of the following risk factors and have a greater chance of failure in school and beyond: Poverty; single or no parent; no parent employed full time or full year; all parents with disability; mother without a high school degree; and no parent fluent in English. The legislature finds that parents and children involved in home visitation programs exhibit better birth outcomes, enhanced parent and child interactions, more efficient use of health care services, enhanced child development, and early detection of developmental delays, as well as reduced welfare dependence, higher rates of school completion and job retention, reduction in frequency and severity of maltreatment, and higher rates of school graduation. The legislature intends to promote the use of home visitation services as an early intervention strategy to alleviate the effect risk factors have on child development.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.121.015 and 1988 c 278 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Child" means an unmarried person who is under eighteen years of age.
     (2) "Council" means the Washington council for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
     (3) "Evidence-based practice" means a practice that is based on valid and reliable scientific evidence demonstrating that the practice is effective, adapted when necessary to respond to individual family needs and cultural values.
     (4) "Home visitation" means providing services in the permanent or temporary residence, or in other familiar surroundings, of the family receiving such services.
     (5) "Primary prevention" of child abuse and neglect means any effort designed to inhibit or preclude the initial occurrence of child abuse and neglect, both by the promotion of positive parenting and family interaction, and the remediation of factors linked to causes of child maltreatment.
     (((4))) (6) "Promising practice" means a practice that presents, based upon preliminary research, potential for becoming an evidence-based practice.
     (7) "Secondary prevention" means services and programs that identify and assist families under such stress that abuse or neglect is likely or families display symptoms associated with child abuse or neglect.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 43.121 RCW to read as follows:
     Within available funds, the council shall fund evidence-based and promising home visitation programs for improving parenting skills and outcomes for children. Home visitation programs may include but are not limited to programs designed to address the needs of families with risk factors listed in section 1 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   RCW 43.70.530 (Home visitor program) and 1998 c 245 s 75 & 1993 c 179 s 2 are each repealed.