BILL REQ. #:  S-4585.2 

Read first time 01/23/08.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to the accreditation of the department of social and health services children's administration offices; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; and repealing RCW 74.13.017.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) All field offices and the headquarters office of the children's administration in the department shall become accredited by a nationally recognized child welfare accrediting entity no later than December 31, 2008.
     (2) If an unexpected fatality or near fatality of a child receiving care or services from a particular field office occurs, the department shall notify the accrediting entity of this fact. Within six months of the occurrence of the fatality or near fatality, the accrediting entity shall review that office to determine whether the office continues to meet accreditation standards.
     (3) For purposes of this section, "near fatality" has the same meaning as that stated in RCW 74.13.500(4).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   RCW 74.13.017 (Accreditation -- Completion date) and 2003 c 207 s 8 & 2001 c 265 s 2 are each repealed.