H-1777.1

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1605

ByHouse Human Services & Early Learning (originally sponsored by Representatives Dent, Peterson, Griffey, Caldier, Goodman, Volz, Stanford, Lovick, Reeves, Klippert, Frame, Schmick, Harris, Appleton, Kretz, DeBolt, Cody, Macri, Orwall, Shea, Blake, Kloba, Doglio, Ortiz-Self, Eslick, Jinkins, Van Werven, Fey, Ormsby, Callan, Bergquist, Tarleton, and Leavitt)

AN ACT Relating to requiring traumatic brain injury screenings for children entering the foster care system; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

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) The department, in consultation with the health plan contracted to provide health care coverage to foster youth, shall evaluate:

(a) Traumatic brain injury screening tools that could be used with children entering out-of-home care as defined under RCW 13.34.030 and the evidence base for such tools;

(b) Options to include traumatic brain injury screening tools in existing screens or regular health care appointments for children in out-of-home care as defined under RCW 13.34.030; and

(c) The recommended treatment actions based on health care, behavioral health care, and trauma-related best practices for youth for whom a potential traumatic brain injury is identified using a screening tool.

(2) By December 1, 2019, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the department shall provide a report based on the requirements in this section to the appropriate committees of the legislature.

(3) This section expires July 1, 2020.

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