SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1811

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, March 24, 2011

Title: An act relating to allowing for informed telephonic consent for access to housing or homelessness services.

Sponsors: House Committee on Community Development & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Roberts and Stanford).

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Baxter, Carrell, Harper and McAuliffe.

Background: In 2006 the Legislature required the Department of Commerce to implement the Washington Homeless Client Management System by December 31, 2009, in order to collect information about homeless individuals in the state. The system is required to include information from the Washington homeless census, state agencies, and organizations that provide services to the homeless. In collecting information, entities are required to first obtain the written consent of the homeless individual. The consent must be time limited, requiring the entities to periodically obtain a new written consent. The goal of the management system is to enable local governments and providers to connect homeless persons in the database with available housing.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): Personally identifying information about a homeless individual may be collected over the telephone after obtaining oral consent from the person if written consent is obtained the first time the individual is physically present at the organization. Safeguards consistent with federal requirements for data collection continue to apply. The Department must develop a policy for the destruction of personally identifiable data when the data is no longer needed.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): The amendment is purely technical and does not change the policy of the underlying bill.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute House Bill: PRO: Creating a data management information system is a key component of the ten-year plan to end homelessness. The purpose is to match clients up with the services they need. The system requires personally identifying information. Information currently cannot be shared with service providers without written consent. We want to more quickly and efficiently match clients up with the services they need, by taking information over the phone.