HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 153

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Brekke, Winsley, Sutherland, H. Sommers, Leonard, Jacobsen, Moyer, Scott, Padden, R. King, Patrick, Lewis, Wang, Sanders, Miller and Brough; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Requiring reports of abuse of developmentally disabled persons.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

     Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Leonard, Moyer, Padden, H. Sommers, Sutherland, Wang and Winsley.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1985, the Legislature passed an act relating to child abuse and neglect, requiring the reporting by specified persons of episodes of abuse and neglect of children and persons with developmental disabilities to the Department of Social and Health Services or law enforcement.  In 1984, this act was expanded to include adult dependent persons, such as mentally ill and senile persons.  The term "developmentally disabled person" was deleted and substituted for "adult dependent persons", meaning persons who have been or could be determined to need a court appointed guardian.

However, most developmentally disabled persons have not been determined to need a guardian, and therefore, do not properly come within the statutory definition of "adult dependent person."  Therefore, the 1984 amendments inadvertently excluded developmentally disabled persons from the original act.

SUMMARY:

The act requiring the reporting of episodes of abuse and/or neglect of children and adult dependent children is clarified to include developmentally disabled persons as well.  Gender-related terminology is clarified.

Fiscal Note:    No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Norm Davis, Developmental Disabilities Services, Department of Social and Health Services;  Sharon Hansen, Developmental Disabilities Planning Council; and Jeff Larsen, Washington Assembly for Citizens with Disabilities.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The coverage of developmentally disabled persons, inadvertently dropped from the 1984 amendments to the reporting act, should be restored.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.