HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1546

BYRepresentatives Brekke, Winsley, Scott, Leonard, H. Sommers, Moyer, Padden, Todd and Anderson; by request of Department of Social and Health Services

Revising provisions governing consultation by department of social and health services on reports of abuse.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

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

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1988

BACKGROUND:

During the 1987 Legislative Session, the Legislature passed E2SSB 5659 which made numerous changes to the laws concerning dependent children, abused and/or neglected children and families in conflict.  One of the sections that was amended was intended to allow the Department of Social and Health Services to consult with multidisciplinary teams or other involved persons, such as counselors, in the ongoing case planning for children receiving Child Protective or Child Welfare Services and Departmental case services for developmentally disabled persons. Inadvertently the language allowing this was placed in the wrong sentence within the amended subsection.  The proposed bill would correct this.

SUMMARY:

The phrase "with consultants designated by the department" which allows for consultation on ongoing case planning is stricken from its original placement in the language allowing required reporters to participate in ongoing case planning if requested, and placed in the listing of all parties with whom the Department may conduct such case planning.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    John LeVeque, Alliance for Children, Youth and Families; and Lee Ann Miller, Department of Social and Health Services.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill is necessary to give the Department clear direction on when consultants can be designated to assist in ongoing case planning for children receiving Child Protective or Child Welfare Services.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.