Welcome to Policy Watch 2002

WEEK 3

Every POLICY WATCH has three parts. (1) Information: on contacting legislators, learning more about issues, etc. This section was up-front the first week; it has been moved to the end. (2) A description of what is happening week by week in Olympia. (3) Brief items about specific bills, arranged by category.

This bulletin focuses primarily on health, social welfare, and low-income issues. And while it attempts to give readers enough information to guide actions (calls, letters, visits), it will not take positions or urge a particular action. That is up to you.

Go to Part III Issues

WEEK THREE IN OLYMPIA

THE CONTEXT

This week's context is dominated by the first "Cut Off" date of the 2002 Session. February 8, next Friday, is the last day for bills to be considered in the Policy Committee of the House/Senate - where they originated.

Olympia feels like a place where everyone has just shifted into a higher gear. Suddenly: hallways are jammed, the hearing rooms are full, the cafeteria lines are getting longer, and most of the seats outside of legislators' offices are full of citizens - waiting for a meeting with their Representative or Senator.

Much of this heightened activity is just the natural result of a 60-day session. By the end of Week Four, all bills must be considered by the various Policy Committees in the body (House or Senate) where they originated. If a bill hasn't made it through Committee by 5:00 pm on the 8th - that's it... the bill is history. February 8 is an inescapable deadline looming over everything.

In order to get through all the bills, Committees are scheduling double sessions and impossibly full agendas. In a single day in Week Three, for example, the House Committee on Local Government and Housing held not one, but TWO two-hour sessions: one from 1:30-3:30 pm and a second from 7:00-9:00 pm.

In those four hours the Committee listed 9 bills for Public Hearing (explanations from Committee staff, testimony from the public, questions from the legislators, answers from the witnesses), plus a daunting 22 bills for Executive Session. There is no way Committee members can decide public policy on so many issues in so few minutes -- even with super-human discipline and split-second timing.

Over in the Senate it was the same story. E.g., one Committee held one two-hour hearing at 10:00 am, and a second that began at 6:00 pm. Not only were thirteen bills were scheduled for Public Hearing and an unnamed number to be taken up in Executive Session, but the previous Committee meetings concluded at 5:50 pm. For some Senators there was no time for dinner/constituents/checking in with staff.

It's a killer schedule - and the number of legislators with pallid skin and tired eyes grows daily.

Executive Session
At this point many Committees are concentrating on a piece of the process called Executive Session. Once a bill has been considered in a Public Hearing it becomes eligible to be "exec't'd." This part of the process is also open to the public, but at this stage we observe..., we don't testify or offer comment. At this stage, legislators have already heard from the public - both witnesses who come to testify and any constituents who cared enough about the bills to call/write/ visit and express their views.

In Executive Session the members take up one bill at a time, discuss it, vote on any amendments that any Committee member wishes to offer, and then vote on the bill as it has just been amended. A Committee clerk asks for "Aye's and Nay's." If 51% (or more) of the Committee members vote "Aye," the bill passes out of Committee.

Unfortunately, this year the budget situation is demanding extra time (not usually a major topic in the short sessions) but there is no extra time in the schedule. As one long-time lobbyist observed, "...not many bills have been 'exec't'd out;' it's going to be a zoo next week."

If there is a bill that you care about, be sure your legislators know your concerns, and be sure the highest ranking Democrat and Republican (Chair and "Ranking") on the Policy Committee responsible for the bill knows of your concern. If a bill you care about is scheduled for Executive Session - act now.

Two Questions
The job of the Policy Committees is to answer a basic question about any bill: IS THIS A GOOD IDEA for public policy. Bills that make it through this first stage must then pass a second - harder - test. Any bill that might cost $50,000 or more to carry out, must then go on to a Fiscal Committee - called "Appropriations," and "Finance," in the House; "Ways & Means" (the two functions are combined) in the Senate.

The job of a Fiscal Committee is to step back and say, in effect: our colleagues on the policy committee have judged this bill to be a good idea. But there are lots of good ideas; we cannot afford them all. So, the next question is: CAN WE AFFORD THIS? IS IT A GOOD USE FOR PUBLIC DOLLARS?

If a bill is listed as having been referred to any of the Fiscal Committees, it has reached this second stage. Once again there are Public Hearings, and Executive Sessions. Once again there is a hard deadline for action: February 12. Once again, anyone can voice an opinion about any of the bills being discussed - just by calling the Toll-Free HOTLINE (1-800-562-6000), by writing, or by visiting.

The big difference is that this year many more bills will die at this point: given the looming $1.25 billion deficit, not many bills will make it through the Fiscal Committees.

Those few that do will then go on to the House and Senate Rules Committees to be scheduled for action on the House and Senate Floor. If a bill is noted as being in the Rules Committee, it has made it over one more hurdle on the path to becoming a law. (More on this stage in the process in a future PW.)

Influencing/Tracking Budget Items
It is possible to follow the progress of a bill by using the legislature's web site (www.leg.wa.gov) and calling up information on a bill - by topic, or by the number listed in bulletins like this one. It takes a while to get accustomed to the "code" used to explain where bills stand in the process, but that can be done.

Following the progress of a budget item is a different matter. The short answer is: you can't. That doesn't mean you cannot have an influence on budget decisions; it only means that you are unlikely to know whether you have had an impact until some key decisions are made public later in the session.

The process is known; only the results are largely unknown - for now.
-- In mid-December the Governor publishes his version of the budget. (He is required to submit a balanced budget; the state constitution does not require that the legislature pass a balanced budget.)
-- In the opening weeks of the Session, the different Fiscal Committees (as well as some Policy Committees) hold sessions to review the Governor's budget and invite public comment on it.
-- In mid-February (probably 2/18 this year) there will be new Revenue Forecasts; many members are waiting to see them before making decisions about the budget.
-- Some time after the Revenue Forecasts are available, the Senate Ways & Means Committee will make public its version of the budget. (During a long session, the House Appropriations Committee goes first.) Within a few days to a week, the Appropriations Committee will make its version public.

Through all this time, legislators tend to say very little about the looming decisions on the budget. But they are thinking and talking about the many tradeoffs all the time - and that thinking/talking is influenced by what they are hearing from the voters back home. If calls and letters pour in -- opposed to or in support of, a particular budget item -- legislators take note. The same is true of particular approaches to the budget itself (taxes/no taxes; program cuts/no program cuts).

Conversations with a variety of legislative staff, and legislators yields the following advice. If there is something in the budget that you want to protect or change:
FIRST, contact your own Senator and Representatives;
SECOND, be sure the Chairs and Ranking Minority members of the relevant policy Committees are aware of your concern;
THIRD, be sure the Chairs and Ranking Minority members of the Budget-Writing Committees - Appropriations and Ways & Means - are aware of your concern. And
FOURTH, as soon as the legislators' versions of the budget are available, be vocal about their contents.
One legislator added to this list: find a champion for your issue, someone who sits on Appropriations or Ways & Means. Work with them throughout the process; send them good information; get your fellow citizens - preferably from their home districts - involved.

The budget is the strongest reflection of our priorities and values. It conveys a sense of activities and people we care enough about to have a claim on our public funds. It is directly concerned with building and maintaining "community" - that notion of disparate people coming together with a common purpose, a "common unity." If ever there were reason for people to speak up, this is it.

BRIEF SNAPSHOTS FROM WEEK THREE

** There was a standing-room-only crowd in the Children & Family Services Committee as police officers, grandparents, and social workers alike spoke of abused and neglected children - in and out of foster care -- and ways to make their lives better. The topics included drying-sounding definition changes, but witnesses left many of those in the packed room with tears in their eyes and lumps in their throats.

** From this week's Trivia Quiz -- There are three cities named Walla Walla outside Washington - where are they? And: which Washington city has the most single men and women?

** It is said that when our nation's founders spoke of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," their notion of "happiness" was "civic participation." (Without the right to participate in civic life, one could not be truly free, or happy.)
So they might well have appreciated the reaction of a low-income housing tenant after her first-time-ever visit to Olympia: "It was fun! I learned I can talk to MY representatives and they listen to ME! Next year I'm coming back... and I'm bringing friends."

** At times Olympia feels like a very small town. One morning a retired university teacher asked to share a cafeteria table with a considerably younger stranger... only to learn that his wife was her former student.

** Ever wonder what prompts someone to become an advocate for others? Well, one young woman came to Olympia this week with her clients at a homeless shelter. Her first introduction to the issue? A geography "service learning" class some years ago.

** Gender Watch. In the Washington House of Representatives, 4 of 9 Democrat Leadership Posts are held by women; 2 of 7 Republican Leadership Posts are held by women (WA state has highest portion of female legislators in the nation - over 40%).

The BUDGET

The prospect of budget cuts and other budget matters continue to dominate the Session. Legislators must find ways to plug a $1.25 billion hole in a $22.5 billion operating budget (almost $10 billion of that - 43.5% -- is committed to K-12 and cannot be cut).

The Governor and Legislature can: find new revenues, make cuts in spending, or agree on some combination of the two. The Governor released his approach to solving the budget crisis in mid-December (it is available on the Office of Financial Management website: www.ofm.wa.gov/); a brief description appears in PW-Week One.

Now it is the Legislature's turn. Members are waiting for new Revenue Forecasts in mid-February before making any decisions. The big budget-related decisions in the first two weeks focused on funding to resolve the state's Transportation crisis. Resolving the budget crisis is part of every conversation.

There are no BUDGET-RELATED HEARINGs IN WEEK FOUR.

PART III - SOME ISSUES

This section notes upcoming hearings, plus categories of bills, including:

Aging/Long-Term Care
Child Care
Child Welfare
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Disabilities
Health Care
Housing/Homelessness
Hunger and Nutrition
Juveniles/Youth
Mental Health
Sexual Abuse/Domestic Violence
Substance Abuse
Welfare
Miscellaneous

Fair warning: This bulletin only comes out weekly, and does not pretend to be comprehensive. If there is an issue category you care about, use the legislative website to monitor (www.leg.wa.gov) because the action changes daily.

REMINDER:
House Bill numbers begin with 1 or 2;
Senate Bill numbers begin with 5 or 6.
More recent bills have higher numbers.

A Substitute House or Senate Bill (SHB, or SSB) is a bill that replaces or substitutes for the original bill. It incorporates changes that key members have agreed to, to make the bill acceptable to a majority.

AGING/LONG-TERM CARE

SB 5026, SB 6201, SB 6368 - DEALING WITH COST and AVAILABILITY OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
These bills would consolidate prescription drug purchasing for state health care programs, and allow portions of the general public
to participate in the cost savings. Advocates for health care providers,
pharmacists, and senior citizens are joined in pressing for some version of this legislation. It appears that this year only the pharmaceutical industry is opposed to this approach.
These bills were heard in a Public Hearing during Week One, before the Senate Committee on Health and Long-Term Care. No specific date has been set for Executive Session, but the Senate Committee has listed "possible executive session on bills heard in Committee" for its sessions in Week Four.

HB 2431/ SB 6368 to create a PRESCRIPTION DRUG EDUCATION AND UTILIZATION SYSTEM
Long-time observers of this issue are noting the new alliances forming to support joint purchasing and prescription drug improvements this year. This is no longer just a consumers' issue, but one also supported by health care providers, and pharmacists, as well as senior citizens and other citizen groups.
A Public Hearing on the bill was held before the House Health Care Committee in Week Two.
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 1:30 pm, it is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C of the John L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2444/ SSB 6289 - SPECIFIES QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADULT FAMILY HOME PROVIDERS AND RESIDENT MANAGERS.
A Public Hearing was held this bill in Week Two, before the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
A Substitute version of the Senate Bill passed out of Committee in Week Three; it is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Senate Floor action.
On Thursday, 2/7 at 8:00 am, the House Bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee in House Hearing Room C, of the John L. O'Brien Building.

SHB 2312/ SB 6443 - REGULATION OF ADULT FAMILY HOMES
This bill would create an advisory board to the Department of Social
and Health Services that formalizes a stable process for discussing and
considering adult family home issues among residents and their advocates, regulatory officials, and adult family home providers.
The House bill passed out of the Health Care Committee in Substitute form. It was referred to the House Appropriations Committee, where it awaits action.
The Senate Bill remains pending in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.

HB 2457/ SB 6666 - TO CHANGE RATES IN THE NURSING FACILITY MEDICAID SYSTEM
This bill was introduced at the request of DSHS and would accomplish the Governor's proposed budget cuts to nursing homes.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Appropriations Committee in Week Three. No action specifically scheduled for Week Four, just "bills referred to Committee...."

HB 2458/SB 6544 - TO PERMIT DSHS TO ESTABLISH LICENSING FEES FOR ADULT FAMILY HOMES.
This bill would authorize DSHS to set fees at an amount able to compensate the department for the cost of carrying out licensing activities.
The Senate bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways & Means; no action scheduled.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Appropriations Committee in Week Three. No action specifically scheduled for Week Four, just "bills referred to Committee...."

SB 6720 - CLARIFYING THE ADMINISTRATION OF INITIATIVE 775 (the Home Care Quality Authority)
On Monday, 2/4 at 1:30 pm, this bill will get a Public Hearing before the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee. Senate Hearing Room 4, J.A. Cherberg Building.

Budget Items.
Advocates for nursing homes point out that almost one-third of cuts to social services in the Governor's proposed budget come from pay-ments to nursing homes ($70 million - half from state funds, half from federal matching funds). Concerns have been raised about the impact of this change on patient care.

Nursing homes are reimbursed for specific items: (e.g., food, mortgage payments, support services, patient care). The Governor's office claims his proposal would not reduce payments for patient care, but each of the elements being cut affects patient care: reductions in food, staffing, support services. In addition, costs for utilities, supplies, etc., continue to go up - so if payments from the state go down, patient care is likely to be affected. Result: less available per Medicaid patient/per day.

Assisted Living cuts would total about $2.6 million in combined state and federal funds.

The Governor would also eliminate more than $7 million in funding
appropriated for long-term caregiver wage increases. It is feared that would result in the loss of more than 3,300 nursing home worker jobs and in the quality of care provided.

HIV/AIDS funding for prevention and care services - currently allocated throughout the six AIDSNets regions - would be reduced by $1 million. This could affect the state's ability to retain many of the
programs and services funded by the AIDS Omnibus Act.

The Governor has also proposed transferring administrative authority over the Evergreen Health Insurance Program (EHIP), which provides insurance continuation coverage to more than 700 clients statewide, from the Department of Social and Health Services over to the Department of Health. This is move is supported by HIV/AIDS advocates.

IMPLEMENTATION OF I-775, the HOMECARE QUALITY INITIATIVE. This Initiatives was passed by the voters, and provides a mechanism capable of winning small hourly wage increases (e.g., .50/hour) to help promote stability in homecare worker services Most homecare workers earn less than $8.00/hour. Some homecare workers in private agency settings benefitted from funds allocated for the 2001 increase; no funds have been allocated for a 2002 increase.

Hundreds of home care workers, in many cases accompanied by their clients, came to Olympia in Week Two to bring the issue directly to legislators. Advocates for better home care for elderly, disabled, and chronically ill individuals will be pressing this issue.

CHILD CARE

A number of child care bills were carried over from last year, but thus far none has been scheduled for public hearings. Bills requiring new spending are not likely to get consideration. The big child care issue this year remains funding - including funds needed to not lose ground.

Budget items
ECEAP - the state-funded EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, would see its funding reduced ($2.1 million) under the Governor's proposed budget. ECEAP has a record of proven effectiveness; it helps both parents and children in participating families. It prepares low-income children for school, conveys good parenting skills to young parents, and provides the comprehensive services needed to get pre-schoolers off to a good start.

Over time, rate increases for ECEAP have failed to keep up with the rising costs of salaries, benefits, transportation, etc. As a result, spaces for 650 children were cut statewide this year, and more will be cut again next year - before the Governor's proposed $2.1 million
reduction.

HEAD START would also see its state funding reduced under the Governor's budget ($470,220). Like ECEAP, it is a program of proven success, which aids low income parents and children, and helps prepare low-income children for school. In the case of HEAD START, eliminating the state funds would also result in a loss of federal matching funds. As a result, fewer children will be served.

WORKING CONNECTIONS CHILD CARE. This is the name given to the program of expanded child care subsidies instituted as part of the state's "WorkFirst" program. With passage of welfare reform, the state recognized that if single parents of young children were going to be required to go to work full-time, some provision must be made for affordable, accessible child care. In the years that followed, the state tripled its spending on child care subsidies for low-income, working parents. That program now faces a $35-40 million short-fall in what is known as the "welfare box" - funds under the control of the Governor under the state's welfare block grant.

Options for meeting the shortfall all have negative outcomes. E.g., Limiting eligibility to families with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line (it is now at 225%) would affect 13,000 low-earning, working families. (Note: the Federal Poverty Line is just $14,630/year for a family of three.) Other options would whittle away at partnerships with businesses and other community-based efforts. Everything from Resource & Referral services to training for child care providers would be affected, as would everyone from working community college students to struggling-first-job parents to all the businesses hiring workers at low wages.

CHILD WELFARE/CHILDRENS' SERVICES

HB1397/ SSB 5480 - KINSHIP CARE
This bill was introduced last year.
That bill would increase the "child only" grant (where only the child in state care, and not the whole family, is eligible for state aid) by $100/ month for relatives who are caring for multiple children. The first child in the family would continue to receive the current level of $349/month. The bill is likely to be amended to include a requirement for a work group to address policy issues in kinship care and identify options for dealing with them.
The House Bill was taken up in a Public Hearing before the House Children and Families Committee, in Week Three. It is now eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four.
No action specifically scheduled in Week Four for a substitute version of the Senate bill.

SHB 2322 - REVISING PROVISIONS RELATING TO NON-PARENT VISITATION
This bill attempts to balance the rights of parents to raise their children, with a child's interest in maintaining significant relationships with non-parents, and standards for governing visitation by non-parents.
A Public Hearing on the bill was held, and a Substitute version of the bill was passed out of the House Committee on the Judiciary.
It is now pending before the Rules Committee, where it is waiting to be scheduled for House Floor action.

HB 2324 - MAKING IT A CRIME TO FAIL TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND DEPENDENT PERSONS (known as the Jennifer Kell Act). This bill provides that a parent, stepparent, foster parent or others entrusted with the custody of a child or dependent person has a duty to aid them if physically assaulted or being subjected to abuse or neglect. (It was introduced in 2001 as HB 1966.)
A Public Hearing was conducted before the House Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee, in Week Two. No action scheduled, though the bill is eligible for "Possible Executive Session."

HB 2356 - PROVIDING STABLE EDUCATION FOR FOSTER CHILDREN.
Requires that school age foster children attend the same school after placement in foster care, to avoid the instability that comes from movifrom school to school as well as from one home to another. About 70% of foster children are school age, and their rates of school achievement and high school completion are lower, while rates of behavioral and learning problems are higher. Advocates for foster children argue that minimizing moves from school to school would be one positive step in the right direction.
This bill remains eligible for "Possible Executive Session" in the House Children & Family Services Committee.

HB2378 - TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "ABUSE AND NEGLECT"
This bill expands the definition of abuse and neglect to include the negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a person legally responsible for or providing care to the child under circumstances which indicate that the child's health, welfare, or safety is harmed or is at risk of harm. The current definition is so strict that police and child protective services personnel often find their hands tied even when there are multiple warning calls from neighbors and caring relatives. The proposed changes serve to clarify neglect situations, and make needed intervention more likely and more possible.
This bill was considered in an emotional Public Hearing before the House Children and Families Committee, in Week Three. It is now eligible for "Possible Executive Session" in Week Four.

HB2379 - MAKING IT A CRIME TO LEAVE A CHILD WITH A SEX OFFENDER.
This bill would charge parents and persons entrusted with the care of a child, including a child care provider, who knowingly leaves the child with a registered sex offender with criminal mistreatment, a fourth degree misdemeanor.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections, in Week Three.

HB 2382 - REVISING PROVISIONS RE CRIMINAL MISTREATMENT OF A CHILD OR DEPENDENT PERSON
This bill adds a criminal sanction if a person entrusted with the care of a child, or dependent person puts them at risk of injury or mental distress by withholding the basic necessities of life. The bill also addresses criminal negligence that person results in a mental disorder.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections, in Week Three, making it eligible for possible Executive Session in Week Four.

HB 2459 - CHANGING CHILDRENS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF BUDGET REDUCTIONS.
This deceptively simple title tops a 41-page bill that would significantly scale back programs for children and youth - particularly those providing early intervention services to youth and families. The bill was introduced at the request of the Office of Financial Management and was referred directly to the Appropriations Committee.
It would effectively legislate the program cuts recommended in the Governor's proposed budget, ending dozens of programs (e.g., the Community Safety Networks, the Family Policy Council, and secure Crisis Residential Centers) even though no budget decisions have been made, and no funding has been eliminated. It would change language establishing many programs from "Shall" to "May." Advocates are concerned because these programs represent investments which assist families in crisis, and keep young people out of the costly Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice systems.

This bill was the subject of a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Appropriations, in Week Three. Most of those testifying opposed the bill.

HB 2574 - ESTABLISHING A DEMONSTRATION SITE FOR A STATEWIDE CHILDREN'S SYSTEM OF CARE.
In this bill, Children's System of Care is defined as, "a centralized community care coordination system representing a philosophy about the way services should be delivered to children and their families, using existing resources of various child-serving agencies, and allowing for "blended funding." The agencies represented may include providers of mental health services, drug and alcohol services, services for the developmentally disabled, county juvenile justice and state juvenile rehabilitation, child welfare and special education.
This bill was the subject of a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Children and Families, in Week Three, making it eligible for "possible Executive Session" in Week Four.

Budget Items.
The Governor's Budget proposals include a total of $14 million in cuts in a variety of programs that offer prevention and/or early intervention for children at risk. Among them are elimination of:
-- the ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE SERVICES ($1.2 million),
-- the PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE PROGRAM ($1.1 million),
-- the CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM ($1.7 million - early intervention for low risk families in 4 counties),
-- FAMILY RECONCILIATION SERVICES ($3 million), and
-- FAMILY RECONCILIATION SERVICES PHASE II ($1.7 million, for families with youth ages 12 -17).

Champions for some of these programs are coming forward, slowly, and a few are gaining support from important community representatives: e.g., court personnel and judges, physicians and teachers, social workers and parent groups.

CIVIL RIGHTS/CIVIL LIBERTIES

HB 1444 - REQUIRING POLICIES PROHIBITING HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS AND AT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
The bill declares that a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behavior, is conduct that disrupts both a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate its students in a safe environment.
This bill results in part from a study by the Attorney General's office. (Information on the bill is available at the AG's web site.)
It has been revised, and a Substitute Bill is now available which has drawn support from members of both parties (including some who were long-time opponents of previous versions). Supporters believe the revised bill includes a good definition of harassment; latitude for local jurisdictions to either incorporate the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" into an existing policy or develop a new policy; and there will be training materials for implementing the policy.
This bill was unanimously passed out of the House Committee on Education, in Week Three. Members mentioned being "compelled by touching testimony," and by bullying experiences they knew of first hand.

SHB 1663 - AUTHORIZING AN EXCEPTIONAL SENTENCE WHEN A CRIME IS MOTIVATED BY HATE.
Provisions of this bill would apply if a defendant committed the current offense because of the defendant's perception of the victim's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory handicap.
This bill was passed out of the House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections, in Week Three. It is now pending in the House Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for House Floor action.

HB 2314/ SB 6731 - INCREASING PENALTIES FOR TERRORISM OFFENSE
This bill was requested by the Governor and Attorney General Christine Gregoire, to discourage terrorism by increasing the punishment for acts that target civilian populations. It would also create a definition for "terroristic intent" as the aim of using a weapon of mass destruction for the purpose of intimidating or coercing people or government.
The House bill is before the new Select Committee on Community Security; the Senate Bill is before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

This is one of many bills in a new - and rapidly growing - category of bills related to terrorism. Other bills would ensure severe punishment of those who commit terrorist acts against persons or property (HB 2293), require that non-citizens have "identicards" (HB 2479), and penalize "unlawful instruction in civil disorder" (HB 2505), among other things.
Concerns have been raised about the possible criminalization of political beliefs, the future of nonviolent protest, the free exercise of First Amendment rights, inappropriate use of wiretapping and other covert methods of obtaining information, ethnic profiling, and a host of civil liberties questions.
A Public Hearing was conducted before the newly created House Select Committee on Community Security in Week One. These bills are being watched closely by groups concerned with individual rights and civil liberties.

DISABILITIES

HB 1638/ SB 5302 - PROVIDING A TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PERSONS PROVIDING SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Affects B&O Taxes for owners of residential services. Referred to the House Finance and the Senate Ways & Means Cttees.
No action scheduled in Week Four.

HB 1640 - PROVIDING FOR EXPANDED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 1:30 pm this bill wil get a public hearing before the House Committee on State Government, in House Hearing Room D of the John L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2439 SPECIFYING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
This bill would direct the Department of Social & Health Services to
provide appropriate services and supports to an eligible child with
developmental disabilities at a level comparable to that provided in the
voluntary placement program, excluding the room and board component of that program. These services are intended to assist families in keeping the child in the family home until it is appropriate and feasible for the child to live elsewhere.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Children & Family Services, in Week Three. It will then be eligible for Executive Session.

HB 2529/ SB 6585 - REQUIRING SUPPORT PAYMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE
This bill is offered as a result of the budget deficit.
The House bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
In Week Three the Senate bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, which would make it eligible for Possible Executive Session.

HB 2707 - TO REMOVE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
This bill would eliminate requirements that caregivers receive adequate training.
On Tuesday, 2/5, at 1:30pm, this bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Health Care Committee. House Hearing Room C, John L. O'Brien Building.

SB 5739/ HB 2155 - ADDRESSING TRANSPORTATION FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.
This bill recognizes that the state has a responsibility to address transportation needs of persons with special transportation needs. It will improve transportation efficiency and effectiveness to maximize the use of community resources so that more people can be served within available funding levels.
The House bill remains in the House Transportation Cttee.
The Senate Bill could be taken up on the Senate Floor at the next available opportunity - scheduled for Third Reading.

HB 2615 - ADOPTING A DISABILITIES AWARENESS ACT
The purposes of this act are to (a) Inform and educate elementary students about disabilities and diseases that cause deformities; and (b) Provide students with the proper etiquette and skills to interact with those who are disabled.
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 6:00 pm, this bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Education; House Hearing Room A, John. L. O'Brien Building.

SSB 6081 - REVISING PROVISIONS FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ENDOWMENT
This bill was introduced last year and was carried over.
A Substitute version of this bill remains before the Senate Ways & Means Committee. It was scheduled for Executive Session in Week Three.

SB 6733 - EXTENDING SERVICE CHOICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
This bill is variously described as: expanding respite care in state institutions by keeping vacancies open for this purpose; and also as reversing the state's policy of including people with developmental disabilities in the community, by maintaining the Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) in perpetuity. Groups associated with protection and advocacy oppose the bill.
On Monday, 2/4 at 1:30 pm, this bill will get a Public Hearing before the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee. Senate Hearing Room 4, J.A. Cherberg Building.

Budget Items
The Governor would impose a hiring freeze on Developmental Disability case managers. Last year legislators agreed to hire desperately needed new case managers; the funding for 2002 hires could be stopped. This jeopardizes federal funding for the Home and
Community-Based waiver (also known as the CAP waiver), and affects quality of life for those who rely on help from their case managers.

Two month delay in provider wage increase. This is part of a proposed two-month delay in cost-of-living increases for vendors and state employees. In this case, it would "save" $307,000 by delaying the second year of raises from July 1 til September 1, 2002.
(instead of July 1, 2002).

HEALTH CARE

HB 1328 - REQUIRES THE REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN SCHOOL HEALTH PERSONNEL.
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 1:30 pm, this bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee. House Hearing Room C, John L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2364/ 6426 - ALLOWING SICK LEAVE TO CARE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS.
This bill provides that an employer shall not in any way discriminate against an employee because an employee excises the right to use sick leave to care for family members.
A Public Hearing was held before the House Commerce & Labor Committee, in Week Two, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four.
The Senate bill is before the Senate Cttee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions. No action scheduled for Week Four.

HB 2430 - CONCERNING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
This bill would establish pilot projects to determine whether it is appropriate to use Basic Health Plan and Medical Assistance funds to subsidize employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, and set requirements for five standard health plans offered to small employer groups.
On Thursday, 2/7 at 8:00 am, this bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C of the J.L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2431/SB 6368 - DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE PRESCRIP-TION DRUG EDUCATION AND UTILIZATION SYSTEM.
This bill was heard twice in Week Two.
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 1:30 pm, this bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C of the J.L. O'Brien Building.
It is eligible for Possible Executive Session before the Senate Health & Long-Term Care in Week Four.

HB 2461 - REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL OF FEDERAL WAIVERS TO THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Requires the Department to consult with the House and Senate Committees before requesting any federal demonstration waivers modifying the Medical Assistance Program, and makes this provision retroactive.
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 1:30 pm this bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C of the John L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2462 - SETS TERMS FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS TO ATTEND SCHOOL.
This bill would require a physician's medication or treatment order as a
condition for children with life-threatening conditions to attend public
school.
On Thursday, 2/7 at 6:00 pm, this bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C of the J.L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2612/ SB 6586 - TRANSFERRING THE HUMAN IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY VIRUS INSURANCE PROGRAM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Senate bill got a Public Hearing before the Senate Committee on Health and Long-Term Care in Week Three.
On Thursday, 2/7 at 6:00 pm, this bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C of the J.L. O'Brien Building.

SB 5026 -- CREATING THE AGGREGATE PURCHASING PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Because prescription drugs play an increasingly significant role in the health of Washington residents, at the same time the cost of these drugs is rising (and many are not insured for drug costs), several bills have been introduced. They would have the state use its purchasing power and position as a major buyer of prescription drugs, to reduce the price for drugs, and offer some relief to others in need who lack prescription drug coverage. This bill proposes to create an aggregate purchasing prescription drug discount program.
The bill is before the Senate Committee on Health and Long Term Care. Executive Session possible for Week Four.

SB 6201- RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES.
Another of the bills introduced to deal with the rising cost of prescription drugs. It would create a program whereby the state acts as a participant in the prescription drug marketplace, negotiating voluntary rebates from drug companies and using the funds to make prescription drugs more affordable.
The bill is before the Senate Committee on Health and Long Term Care. Executive Session possible for Week Four.

Budget Items:
The Governor's budget would eliminate state funding for MEDICAL INTERPRETER SERVICES ($6.6 million), thus putting Medical Assistance patients with limited English competency at risk. There are thousands of people with limited English proficiency or sensory impairments who need interpreter services to use medical care. (In King County alone, a rough estimate puts the number of Interpreter services provided at about 10,000/week.)

There is a Federal requirement that Interpreter Services be available, but hospitals, clinics, and private physicians would be hard-pressed to replace state funds if they are eliminated. Private health care providers are likely to stop seeing Medical Assistance patients entirely, thus increasing the number/costs to public providers, and raising the cost of contracts for spoken and sign language interpretation.

Health advocates are also monitoring to protect the funding and uses (approved in Initiative 773) for implementation of the TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL PLAN, and for expansion of the BASIC HEALTH PLAN to 175,000 enrollees by July 1, 2005.

LOCAL HEALTH AGENCIES will lose a significant amount of funding - 10-20% of total budgets - if the state discontinues $100 million in funds to county governments to make up for losses (i.e. "backfill) from I-695. These funds are used by public health agencies to support a number of public health programs.

Budget negotiations will also be monitored to protect programs for the PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CANCER (e.g., tobacco control efforts, treatment for low income women diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer).

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS

HB 2060/E2S SB 5936 - TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR HOUSING PROJECTS
Would require a $10 fee for each real property document recorded, with the proceeds to be added to the Housing Trust Fund to provide for low-income housing projects and other housing development. 60% of the funds collected would stay in the communities where the fee was collected, to be used by local decision-makers for locally-identified low-income housing needs; and the remaining 40% would be used to support the operations of housing for
extremely low-income persons across the state.
This bill is the 2002 legislative priority for low-income housing advocates.
The Senate bill remains in Senate Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions. It got a Public Hearing in Week Two.
On Thursday, 2/7 at 3:30 pm, the House bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Finance Committee. This bill appears to be moving.

SSB 5134 - MOBILE HOMES
It would eliminate a provision that allows mobile home park owners to establish their own fire and safety standards, on top of those set by the State, and to block sales or evict tenants if their mobile home does not meet the landlord's individual standards. If SB 5134 passed, existing mobile home fire and safety regulations could be enforced by state and local building code officials, without landlord interference.
In Week Three, this bill was scheduled for Executive Session before the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Financial Institutions Committee.

SB 6362 - MANUFACTURED MOBILE HOMES
This is a new bill that would allow the state's Office of Community Development to enforce the Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act, collect fees from mobile home park owners to support enforcement activities, and issue citations and fines to mobile home park owners who failed to comply with the Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act.
Currently, there is no enforcement of the Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act, and mobile home park tenants must go through the lengthy and expensive court process in order to uphold their rights.
There was a Public Hearing on this bill in Week Two before
Senate Labor, Commerce, and Financial Institutions Committee. Nothing scheduled for Week Four.

Budget Items: the Governor's Proposed Supplemental Budget, would cut funds for Emergency Shelter Assistance by $1.9 million, and funds for Overnight Youth Shelter by $120,00. Testimony against both these items was strong during Public Hearings.

Housing advocates will also be watching to insure that the Housing Trust Fund is not "raided" to offset cuts.

HUNGER AND NUTRITION

HB 2325 - DONATED FOOD
This bill springs from concerns raised in Eastern Washington after local health departments placed severe restrictions on potluck-type (home-cooked) dinners for the hungry. Usually operated by faith communities, they have resulted in no known incidents of food poisoning. The bill would allow the serving of "non-hazardous food," an interesting term.
A Public Hearing was held on this bill in Week Two, before the House Committee on Agriculture and Ecology. It is now eligible for "Possible Executive Session."

HB 2448/ SB 6425 - AUTHORIZING ACCESS TO SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS AND KITCHEN FACILITIES.
This bill is concerned with access by catering groups.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Education in Week Three.
The Senate bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Senate Committee on Education in Week Three.

Budget Items

EFAP - the EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - would be cut $565,000 in the Governor's proposed Budget ($500,000 for building capacity to handle perishable foods, plus $65,000 for a food bank distribution center in Grays Harbor County.).
These are funds used to purchase equipment and contract for food distribution in the emergency food network. Three hundred and ten (310) food banks receive EFAP funds, serving 1,080,000 clients for a total of 5,549,000 client visits.

The FARMER'S MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM would be cut by $263,000 in the Governor's proposed budget. These are funds that enable high-risk, low-income women and children have access to fresh produce at farmers' markets, using their WIC benefits. Twenty-two farmers' markets participate with over 400 small farmers.
Elimination of the WIC farmers market funding would remove Washington from the program; it is unlikely we would be readmitted to the program should the state choose to apply in future years.

WIC - Women Infants and Childrens health and nutrition program for high risk women and children - this would be cut $423,000 in the Governor's proposed budget. WIC has a proven record of reducing low-birth weight, infant mortality, and lifetime disabilities; it saves over $3 in health care costs for every $1 in food/nutrition services. WIC supports 250,000 of Washington's women and children each year at over 250 sites across Washington. Half of all babies born in Washington benefit from WIC. WIC also contributes $60 million statewide in revenue for local grocery stores.

WIC is thought to be doubly at risk because of plans to end state funds to "back fill" the funds that county health departments lost with the passage of I-695. King County alone would lose 1/3 of WIC slots (more than 10,000 people) and $6.9 million worth of vouchers if their "backfill" dedicated to WIC is cut as proposed. This could mean reduced services to the 0-3 population, eliminating 3 & 4 year olds, and some changes in services to post-partum women.

JUVENILES/YOUTH

HB 1549/ SB 5296 - LIMITING MINORS'ACCESS TO TOBACCO.
This bill would prohibit self-service tobacco product displays in establishments that serve youth (it would not apply in places where youth are not allowed). Locked cabinets or behind-the-counter arrangements would be the only ones allowed. This bill was considered last year. It would build on progress made in recent years in limiting the sale of tobacco products to minors.
On Thursday, 2/7 at 8:00 am, the House bill is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee.
The Senate Bill passed out of Committee. It is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.

HB 2371 - CHANGING THE AGE OF CONSENT FOR MINORS.
This bill would raise the age of consent to 16 (from 13) for teens seeking chemical dependency or mental health counseling.
Most youth readily agree to involving their parents in treatment. Concerns have been raised that youth who seek help without the knowledge of their parents often do so because of sexual or physical abuse in the home, or illegal drug use by parents. If treatment is not confidential, these youth will not seek help.
Youth advocates are reviewing this bill and watching it closely.
This bill got a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law in Week Three, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four.

HB 2454 - STUDYING PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK YOUTH INTERVENTION.
This bill calls for a study by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, to encourage investment in proven intervention and prevention programs for at-risk youth. Results of the study would be reported to the legislature in December 2002.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law in Week Three, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four.

HB 2380 - CHANGING PROVISIONS RELATING TO SEGRE-GATION OF CHILD OFFENDERS FROM ADULT OFFENDERS.
This bill stipulates circumstances under which an offender over 18 years but under 21 years of age may be maintained in a housing unit for offenders under 18.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law, in Week Three, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session.

Budget Items
The Governor's proposed budget would eliminate:
-- $120,000 for the state's five licensed youth shelters (each gets about $22,000);
-- $750,000 for the Juvenile Violence Prevention Grant.
(A related proposal would cut $1.2 million from Drug and Substance Abuse Treatment programs, currently funded through the VRDE account. Discussions related to future uses of the VRDE - Violence Reduction and Drug Enforcement - Account are underway.)

The Governor's budget would eliminate THE COMMUNITY HEALTH & SAFETY NETWORKS. Begun in 1992, the Networks are under the jurisdiction of the Community Trade and Economic Development Department; he would also eliminate the Family Policy Council.

The Networks consist of community people who identify local needs and provide funding to programs that prevent youth violence and other negative outcomes for children. The Networks have served as incubators for innovative new approaches from the local level, on such issues as teen pregnancy, youth violence, and child abuse.

MENTAL HEALTH

HB 2298 - MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Would provide $50,000 for a demonstration project in 2 county jails to integrate jail services for mentally ill and/or substance abusing offenders.
This bill was referred to the House Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee. A Public Hearing was held in Week One. This bill is eligible for "Possible Executive Session."

HB 2367/ SB 6589 - AUTHORIZING ADVANCE DIRECTIVES FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
This bill assumes that a person has the ability to control decisions relating to mental health care even when the ability to declare these choices is impaired due to mental illness. An advance directed created under this Act should be respected by medical and mental health professionals and others. These directives would be like other standard "end of life" directives.
The House bill was scheduled for Possible Executive Session before the House Committee on the Judiciary, and remains there.
The Senate bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee, and remains in the Committee. No action yet.

HB 2461/ SB 6716- REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL OF FEDERAL WAIVERS TO THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Also known as the "Bureaucracy Accountability Act," or the "Medicaid Waiver Sunshine Law," this bill requires the Department to consult with the House and Senate Committees before requesting any federal demonstration waivers modifying the Medical Assistance Program, and makes this provision retroactive.
Advocates for persons with mental illness are among those supporting this bill, because of the potential any Medicaid waiver would have to eliminate benefits, alter eligibility, and/or require co-pays for people with mental health issues.
The House bill got a Public Hearing in Week Three.
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 1:30 pm it is scheduled for Executive Session before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C of the John L. O'Brien Building.
On Thursday, 2/7 at 3:30 pm, the Senate bill will get a Public Hearing before the Senate Health & Long-term Care Committee, in Senate Hearing Room 4, J.A. Cherberg Building.

HB 2476 / SB 6469 - AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INFORMATION TO DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS.
The House bill passed out of the House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections in Week Three.
The Senate bill passed out of Committee. It is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.

SB 6724 - INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS UNDER INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE
This bill would include Licensed Social Workers as professionals eligible to provide mental health services to workers covered by L&I and involved in job injuries.
There was a public hearing on this bill in Week Three before the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four.

Budget Items
The Governor's proposed budget would cut funding for the Regional Support Networks by $4.6 million, effectively reducing rates paid to RSNs by 3%. The reductions would come from both inpatient and outpatient care. Since the Mental Health system is currently under-funded, with little in the way of prevention/early intervention or services for any but the most critically ill, these cuts are regarded as far more serious than the dollar amounts may imply.

The Governor's proposed budget would also:
* eliminate miscellaneous community mental health services including , special transportation services, a program providing the drug Clozaril, and the atypical anti-psychotic medication pilot project,
* end contracts with Children's Hospital and Fairfax Hospital for specialized treatment for children
* close half of the Program for Adaptive Living Skills (PALS) unit at Western State, affecting 55-60 patients. (This program helps ready patients for life outside the institution.)
Other proposed cuts would affect individuals with mental illness - e.g., elimination of the State SSI Supplement, cuts in emergency food and shelter, other basic services.

SEXUAL ABUSE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

HB 1248/ SB 5189 - TO ALLOW VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR STALKING TO RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS.
This bill recognizes that people being stalked or followed by abusers may miss work through no fault of their own, and thus should be eligible for UI.
The Senate bill passed through the relevant Senate Committees in 2001 and is in the Senate Rules Committee.
On Wednesday, 2/6, at 8:00 am the House bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Commerce & Labor. House Hearing Room B of the John L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2381/SB 6407 -TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS.
This bill would provide a coordinated, humane response for victims of human trafficking, and it creates a Washington state task force against the trafficking of persons.
A Public Hearing was held before the House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections, in Week Three. It is eligible for possible Executive Session in Week Four.
The Senate bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, in Week Three. No specific schedule for Week Four.

SB 6412 - MAIL ORDER BRIDES
This bill would require the disclosure of critical information by international matchmaking organizations, in order to protect "mail order brides" from prospective partners with a history of violence.
The bill was taken up in a Public Hearing before the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions in Week Three. It is eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four.

SB 5511 - MODIFYING PARENTING PLANS
Known as the "friendly parent" bill, this bill would require courts to take into account which parent is more likely to allow frequent and continuing contact with the other parent, in making decisions about where children live after a divorce. Domestic Violence advocates are concerned that a woman who fears frequent contact with an abusive parent/ spouse may be reluctant to state those fears, and thus be deemed an "unfriendly" parent.

Parents could be penalized for raising concerns about emotional, drug or alcohol problems, or the existence of domestic violence or child abuse. Advocates believe this issue should be resolved in a way that focuses on the needs of children as well as the underlying causes of parental disputes.
This bill was pulled from the Senate Rules Committee and may be voted on by the Senate at any time.

HB 2690/ SB 6537 - PROVIDING EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION TO SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
This bill deems it essential that all hospital emergency rooms provide emergency contraception as a treatment option to any woman who seeks treatment as a result of a sexual assault.
On Tuesday, 2/5 at 1:30 pm, the House bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Health Care Committee, in House Hearing Room C, of the John L. O'Brien Building.
The Senate bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care in Week Three, and is eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE/TREATMENT

HB 1206/ SB 5416 - IDENTIFYING MOTHERS OF DRUG-AFFECTED INFANTS.
This bill requires drug screening for pregnant and lactating women, and identification of those showing evidence of use. Research indicates that most pregnant women don't disclose drug/alcohol use.
Since pregnant women are already high priority for treatment, one potential effect of this bill would be to make even fewer services available to men, simply because they are not a priority group, and there will be no additional funds.
The Senate bill passed the Senate last year. The House bill was taken up in a Public Hearing in Week One, before the House Committee on Children & Family Services. No action scheduled for Week Four.

HB 2338/ SB 6361 - DRUG SENTENCING REFORM. ... REVISING SENTENCES FOR DRUG OFFENSES.
These bills would increase the use of substance abuse treatment for defendants and offenders in order to reduce recidivism and increase the likelihood that they will become law-abiding persons.
The bill also intends that sentences for drug offenses accurately reflect the impact of substance abuse and addiction on public safety, that the public be protected from violent offenders, and that sentences be based on research, and on public policy goals established by the legislature. It includes a new drug sentencing "grid" and sets aside funds for treatment and drug courts. If passed, it would limit the need for building more prisons, in addition to lowering the incidence of crime (because so much is drug-related)
The Senate bill got Public Hearings in Week Two; it is eligible for Possible Executive Session in Week Four - Senate Judiciary Cttee.
The House bill was passed out to the Appropriations Cttee.
On Monday, 2/4 at 3:30 pm it will be taken up in a Public Hearing before the House Appropriations Committee. House Hearing Room A, John L. O'Brien Building.
HB 2475/ SB 6467 - SENTENCING REVISIONS
PW described this bill incorrectly last week. It is a bill introduced at the request of the Department of Corrections, and deals only with lower sentences (to achieve budget savings). It does not include funds for treatment. The bipartisan coalition of judges, prosecutors, sheriffs, counties and others who have come together for drug sentencing reform believe both are necessary.
The House bill remains in the House Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee. No action scheduled.
SB 6467 was scheduled for Possible Executive Session before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, in WEEK THREE.

SB 6482 - REMOVING TIME LIMITS FOR TREATMENT
This bill would eliminate the 60-day limit on state-funded treatment, and better tailor treatment to the individual.
This bill was passed out of Committee on Human Services & Corrections. It is now before the Senate Rules Committee waiting to be scheduled for Senate Floor action.

Advocates for sentencing reforms and improved access to substance abuse treatment are building a powerful case. In brief: treatment saves in millions of dollars in costs to a variety of costly systems - e.g., the child welfare system (an estimated one-third of child neglect cases involve substance abuse), and the criminal justice system (lower crime rates, less need for more jails).

Meanwhile, there is some $30 million in new spending included in the Governor's budget to pay for prison expansion - money that might be used elsewhere to avoid cuts and retain services. Not only would there be savings from a lower Department of Corrections headcount, better treatment access would help return non-violent offenders to the community as productive citizens.

NOTE: A number of bills have also been introduced to deal with Driving Under the Influence.

Budget items
The Governor's proposed budget would eliminate funding for several direct treatment programs. Among them are:
-- the Treatment Accountability for Safe Communities - TASC program ($3.5 million). TASC is a 20-year old program working to reduce drug abuse and criminal activity, and to connect the criminal justice and chemical dependency systems; works with Drug Courts.
-- the GRAVELY DISABLED PROGRAM ($1.4 million);
-- 71 Recovery House beds ($1.1 million);
-- reduce the Violence Reduction & Drug Education - VRDE - fund ($1.2 million)
-- reduction in Public Safety and Education Act - PSEA - funds for drug court and SSI supplemental funds;
-- delay in Vendor Rate Change, and in Involuntary Treatment Beds in Spokane ($800,000);
-- a potential reduction in TANF Substance Abuse treatment funds ($5 million).

WELFARE

HB 1144 - MODIFYING GOOD CAUSE REASONS FOR FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKFIRST.
This bill would extend the period a new mother would not be required to participate in WorkFirst activities -- until her baby reaches the age of 6 months (participation is now required at 3 months).
On Wednesday, 2/6 at 8:00 am, this bill will get a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Children & Family Services. Hose Hearing Room D, John L. O'Brien Building.

HB 1145/ SB 5172 - ALLOWING LANDLORDS TO RECEIVE DIRECT PAYMENTS OF RENT FOR PEOPLE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
Landlords have sought this; welfare advocates are concerned that it takes one more bit of autonomy from low-income people, and eliminates their ability to shift funds in times of emergencies.
The House bill was one of many bills scheduled for Executive Session in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing; it appears to remain in Committee.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions. No action scheduled.

HB 2534 - GAINING INDEPENDENCE FOR FAMILIES (The GI bill for Families).
This bill would create a new financial aid program to enable low-income parents to attend college (technical, community or four-year) full-time. This bill is a top priority for welfare advocates.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Higher Education in Week Three, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session.

HB2656 - MODIFYING EXEMPTIONS OF TANF - TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.
This bill would narrow the hardship exemptions for a receipient/ recipient family to those with physical or mental incapacity or caring for someone incapacitated, or if the recipient meets the family violence options. This would limit DSHS's ability to grant exemptions for other reasons.
On Wednesday, 1/6 at 8:00 am this bill will get a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Children & Family Services. House Hearing Room D, John L. O'Brien Building.

HB 2578 - PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES TO WORKFIRST RECIPIENTS.
This bill allows DSHS to engage in competitive contracting for all WorkFirst services, including case management.
This bill was scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Children and Family Services Committee in Week Three, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session.

Budget Items.
The "Welfare Box" faces a $35 million short-fall. Advocates are watching closely, and are concerned that funds intended to help families transitioning from welfare to work could be in jeopardy.

SSI STATE SUPPLEMENT - low-income individuals who are old, and/or have mental or physical disabilities, and are unemployable - but have too little work history to qualify for federal Social Security Disability benefits - get SSI - Supplemental Security Income benefits of about $500/month for all their living expenses. The state of Washington provides an additional supplement of $5 - 50/month - an amount that often makes the difference between being able to pay rent or being homeless, being able to pay for medication or remain in pain. That state supplement is marked for elimination in the Governor's proposed budget, for a "savings" of $30.9 million. Advocates for low-income adults argue that it would be a false savings, because of predictable higher costs in shelter/hospital/institutional and other emergency needs.

MISCELLANEOUS

HB 2413/SB 6532 - TO REQUIRE BUSINESS SUBSIDY
DISCLOSURE.
A Public Hearing was held on the House bill in Week Two, before the House Committee on Trade & Economic Development. It is now eligible for Possible Executive Session and is expected to get action.
There was a Public Hearing on the Senate bill in Week Two, before the Senate Committee on Labor , Commerce & Financial Institutions. It is now eligible for Possible Executive Session.

HB 2505/SB 6451 - TO PENALIZE UNLAWFUL INSTRUCTION IN CIVIL DISORDER.
This bill was requested to fill a loophole in our State's law regarding groups that train with the intent of creating "civil disorder." Not to be confused with civil disobedience, civil disorder is an act of violence by a group of people that results in injury to a person or person's property. The legislation would affect groups that are training individuals (and the individuals being trained) in the techniques and mechanisms intending to create civil disorder. All of our surrounding states and every western state have a similar statutes on the books.
A Public Hearing was scheduled on the Senate bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Week Three, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session.
A Public Hearing was scheduled on the House bill before the House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections, making it eligible for Possible Executive Session.

HB 2540/ SB 6403 - AUTHORIZING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR UW EMPLOYEES ENROLLED IN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS.
On Wednesday, 2/6 at 6:00 pm, this bill is one of 13 scheduled for Possible Executive Session before the House Committee on Commerce & Labor. House Hearing Room A, John L. O'Brien Building.
No action scheduled before the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions in Week Four.

SB 5833 - PERMITTING LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS ON
INITIATIVES AND REFERENDUMS.
This bill passed out of the Senate Committee on State & Local Government. It is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.

Other government-process bills slated for Public Hearings would:
-- Authorize Public Financing of Local Political Campaigns (HB 2030), and
-- Change the Date on which Primary Elections are held in Washington (SHB 1230).

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