Welcome to Policy Watch 2005
WEEK 9
POLICY WATCH is a weekly bulletin about issues and events in Olympia, WA during the 15-week legislative session. It is part of the CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT, an effort to increase involvement in the legislative process through information and advocacy training.
POLICY WATCH has three parts.
PART I: Basic Information for contacting legislators,
getting information. Click here
for Part I.
PART II: A description of what is happening week
by week in Olympia - the process.
PART III: 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.
IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY On MARCH 19, many legislators will be hosting TOWN HALL MEETINGS back home in their Districts. This is a great opportunity to let them know how you feel: * About the bills passed/defeated thus far,* About the budget – whether to balance it with all cuts, all revenues, orsome combination of the two. Contact your legislators’ offices now to ask the time, and place for their event. NOTE: A list of already-published Town Hall Meetings can be found here |
PART II – THE PROCESS
Week Nine - THE SCENE
To visitors the Capitol might seem less busy, but to weary legislators it is anything but. Some of them spent a marathon Saturday 3/5 in an Appropriations Committee session that lasted into early Sunday morning. Then Monday was a full day and by Tuesday everyone was caught up in the day-long sessions of Floor Action. Not only are the House and Senate starting at 9:00 every morning and voting on bill after bill – with few breaks – throughout the day, Floor Action starts again at 6:00 pm and runs into the evening. 3/12 another Saturday Sessions was scheduled. When the gavel comes down at the end of Wednesday, March 16, everybody will be grateful.
THE PROCESS
The Biennial – Two Year - Budget (2005-2007)
This week’s section on the process may sound a bit confusing at first, but stick with it. PW hopes it will prove useful over the next few weeks as the budget process unfolds.
Next week the already tired (and sometimes crabby) legislators will get another dose of stress in their lives. The Revenue Forecasts will be out, updating the estimates of how much revenue the state is expected to bring in – a critical element in devising the state’s budget for 2005-2007.
Soon after, the Governor’s proposed budget will be available. Note the word “proposed:” a Governor “proposes” but the Legislature “disposes.” The legislators actually write and vote for the budget. They will spend much of the next four weeks reviewing what the Governor recommends, and then offering their own ideas for how the state’s operating budget should be balanced, ultimately drawing ideas from all of them. The Senate is expected to be first out with a budget this year, followed soon after by the House. Given the fact of a $2.2 billion deficit, all three budgets will make literally life-or-death choices as they work to decide what gets funded and what gets cut. (There are actually three budgets: an Operating or General Fund Budget, a Transportation Budget, and a Capital Budget - for buildings and construction projects. PW only deals with the first.)
The prospect of that massive deficit is like a looming kiss of death. It helps explains why so many bills are, or appear to be, DEAD. In Part II of POLICY WATCH this week the descriptions of those bills have been eliminated, leaving just the bill’s title and the note that it “appears dead.” In many cases the bills died because there would be a cost involved in implementing them. However grim this may sound, it doesn’t always mean the issue is dead.
Some Budget Lingo
This time of year visitors to the Capitol are likely to overhear talk of “budget provisos” or bills “necessary for the budget.”
During the course of Public Hearings and Executive Sessions, legislators sometimes conclude that a new law or amendment isn’t really needed, because an activity is already covered under some existing law. In some cases an activity’s original funding came from private sources and now the state is being asked for support, or they wish to avoid the much longer Committee process. Either way, rather than add to the Revised Code of Washington with yet another law (the RCW is where all the laws and amendments already on the books are codified), legislators may decide instead to handle the matter as part of the budget through a “budget proviso.” That is, they’ve decided they do not need to change the law to accomplish what they have in mind.
Similarly, there are some items that fall outside the regular cut-off days because they are deemed “necessary for the budget.” These bills will also appear dead because they did not make it through the Committee process by the cut-off dates. Until the budget is settled, those issues stay alive. Typically these are bills that would cost the state money if they failed to pass. As a helpful Committee staff member put it: “… to be ‘necessary to implement the budget,’ a bill must either (1) produce revenue (i.e., taxes or fees), or (2) produce savings or reduce costs. Thus, bills that spend money are never necessary to implement the budget.”
There’s a third phrase that doesn’t get used nearly as often, but is equally important: taxexpenditure. We all know the state budget is funded by the revenues raised through taxes or fees. And we all know there is a cost to the budget when the legislature agrees to fund a program – e.g., to subsidize child care, operate state parks, or protect salmon runs. But we don’t often think about the fact that there is also a cost every time a tax break is granted, that public budgets are as affected by the revenues they agree to forgo as by the revenues they bring in. As the U.S. Congress recognized a few decades ago, it is important to note the cost to public treasuries every time a tax break is granted, and so they began keeping track of “tax expenditures.”
Over the years our state legislature has granted over 500 tax breaks, adding up to billions of dollars a year in forgone revenues. Many of those tax breaks serve important functions, and all were deemed important at the time they were granted. But some have been on the books for years, and the reasons originally given for why some activities should be taxed and others not may be out of step with a modern economy. It’s a sign of progress that recent years have seen the introduction of bills for “tax credit accountability,” and “performance audits of tax preferences.”
Right now is a perfect time to think about all this. Despite calls for the legislature to “live within its means” and balance the budget entirely through cuts, some legislators have continued to ask for more tax breaks (aka “tax expenditures”) for a variety of special interests. And given the size of the deficit, it is especially important that citizens pay as much attention to tax expenditures as to program expenditures. We can not only ask legislators about the issue at their Town Hall Meetings, we can also ask about some of the trade-offs involved as they work on the budget – e.g., if closing some outdated tax breaks would fund children’s health care – would they do that?
What happens next?
Everyone is eager to see the Governor’s budget. Rumors are flying; the sense of urgency is high.
With a $26 billion Operating Budget, a $2.2 billion deficit appears to some like a potential 8% cut in everything. That would be bad enough, but it isn’t the reality the budget-writers face.
As the fiscal Committees approach the task of writing a budget, they cannot cut K-12 – so subtract $10 billion from $26 B. And the community colleges, technical colleges, and universities have made a strong case that it would be foolhardy to cut higher education when so many eligible students are already being turned away – subtract another $3 billion. Then you have to subtract other unavoidable items like debt-service, protecting the environment, state prisons, public safety, and other basic functions of government.
By the time you subtract everything that cannot be cut, what’s left is roughly $7.5 billion in health and human services. If there is to be an “all cuts budget,” that’s where most of the cuts would be made. Since most such services are currently under-funded, a 29% hit ($2.2 B out of $7.5 B) could not be made without deep and lasting pain. Even the gimmicks being suggested to avoid some of this (e.g., raid the Tobacco legacy funds, make teachers wait another year …or ten, ignore wage and pension fund commitments) have consequences - if not this year, then soon.
PRACTICAL TIPS
* If a bill you cared about “appears dead,” check with either the bill sponsor – the first legislator listed at the top of the bill, or with an advocacy group that is following the issue (there’s a list in the last three pages of every POLICY WATCH). Ask whether there is any chance the issue may be kept alive in the budget, and if so, whether citizen voices are needed.
* If you care about the budget, speak up now.
* Above all: Be sure your Senator, both Representatives, and the Governor know which bills you care about, and how you hope they will vote on the budget. Once a bill gets to the Floor, EVERY legislator is equally important, and EVERY Washingtonian has an opportunity to influence how they vote. Plus – any bill that makes it through Floor Action will eventually need to go to the Governor.
The Governor, your Senator, and both your Representatives can be reached in a single, brief message, left with an operator at the Toll-Free Hot-Line: 1-800-562-6000.
SNAPSHOTS.
** Bills often begin with “intent clauses” that begin “The legislature finds…” and then go on to describe the intentions of the legislature in offering the bill. Typically they state things so obvious no one could object – e.g., that the health/education/well-being of our children is important to us all. When money is scarce those good intentions may be all that remain of otherwise good bills – because anything more would cost money. That prompted one citizen to suggest they could save a lot of paper by introducing a one-word bill she calls the “DUH” bill.
** This week the disability community decided to expand one of its weekly mini-lobby days to include the broader human services community and call attention to the consequences of an all-cuts budget. On very short notice almost 300 people turned up – many of them with bright red-and-white signs calling on legislators for three budget-related actions: First, do no more harm, Raise revenue, and Secure the future.
** It’s hard to believe, but the beautiful chandelier that hangs from the Capitol dome is said to be big enough to hold a Volkswagen beetle!
** If you still find the process confusing – don’t feel bad, everyone does. Especially at budget time, even Olympia regulars say things like, “Can they DO that?” “How did THAT happen???”
** More Olympia Jargon:
The listing of bills ready for a vote on the Senate floor is known as the “Flash” Calendar.
Gender Watch: The Seattle P.I. passed along a rumor concerning two of the women legislators who are doctors: Republican Rep. Kathy Haigh (a veterinarian) and Democrat Rep. Shay Schual-Berke (a cardiologist). The speculation: Haigh could rush to the aid of the R’s and Schual-Berke to the aid of the D’s in the event a legislator falls ill.
PART III - SOME ISSUES
This section notes upcoming hearings, plus categories of bills, including:
- Aging/Long-Term Care
- Children
- Child Welfare
- Disabilities
- Health Care
- Housing/Homelessness
- Hunger and Nutrition
- Income Supports/Welfare
- Juveniles/Youth
- Mental Health
- Revenues/Tax Policy
- Rights/Opportunities
- Sexual Abuse/Domestic Violence
- Substance Abuse
- Miscellaneous
REMINDER:
House Bill numbers begin with 1 or 2;
Senate Bill numbers begin with 5 or 6.
Thus a bill identified as SB 6264 is the 1,264th Senate Bill introduced in the session; HB 1058 would be the 58th bill introduced in the House. More recent bills have higher numbers.
AGING/LONG-TERM CARE
HB 1041 – REVISING THE NURSING FACILITY MEDICAID PAYMENT SYSTEM.
This bill appears DEAD. See note for HB 1571/ SB 5569.
HB 1078 – TRANSFERRING THE HOME CARE QUALITY AUTHORITY TO THE DEPT. OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1773/ SB 5758 – INCREASING THE PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR NURSING FACILITY RESIDENTS.
Elderly and disabled persons getting publicly-financed care contribute towards the cost of their care, but a small portion of their income is set aside for personal needs. This “personal needs allowance” is just $41.62 per month (for clothing, personal maintenance, incidentals), $11.62 of it in the form of a state supplement. The amount has not been changed since 1988, when the federal portion of the allowance was raised from $25 to $30. This bill would increase the personal needs allowance to $58.84 per month.
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD – but the issue may be dealt with as a Budget Proviso.
Prescription Drugs
By now these four prescription drug bills have passed the House Floor and were sent to the Senate, in some cases after being amended on the House Floor.
SSHB 1168 – AUTHORIZING THE STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY TO REGULATE NONRESIDENT CANADIAN PHARMACIES.
This bill attempts to deal with the increase in prescription drug purchases from Canada, and the desire to ensure the safety of drugs purchased this way. The bill thus authorizes the state board of pharmacy to regulate nonresident Canadian pharmacies, directs the board to develop a reciprocal licensing agreement with Health Canada or an applicable Canadian province. If the board is unable to develop such an agreement, it will develop a process to license nonresident pharmacies through on-site inspection and certification.
In Week Seven this bill (with amendments; it is now Second Substitute House Bill) passed the House by a vote of 54-41. It is now in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Cttee.
HB 1194 – REGARDING RE-IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
This bill would authorize agencies that administer state-purchased health care programs to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian sources, provided they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It would also require the state Health Care Authority to develop a website to inform people on opportunities to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies.
In Week Six this bill passed the House by a vote of 56-42. It is now in the Senate Committee on Health and Long-Term Care.
SHB 1219 – AUTHORIZING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASING CONSORTIUM
This bill would require the state Health Care Authority to adopt policies necessary for establishing a prescription drug purchasing consortium. The state-purchased health care programs would then (in most cases) purchase prescription drugs through the consortium for those prescription drugs that are purchased directly by the state, and those that are purchased through reimbursement of pharmacies.
In Week Six this bill was amended and passed by the House with a vote of 55-42.
It is now in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-term Care.
SSHB 1316/ SB 5470 – ALLOWING THE IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM CANADIAN WHOLESALERS
This bill is similar to HB 1168, but is concerned with the purchase of prescription drugs from approved Canadian wholesalers. It asks that by 9/1/05, the state Pharmacy Board - in consultation with the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority- submit a waiver request to the federal Food and Drug Administration to authorize the state of Washington to license Canadian prescription drug wholesalers, thereby providing retail pharmacies licensed in Washington the opportunity to purchase prescription drugs from approved Canadian wholesalers and pass those savings on to consumers. It also asks that by 12/1/05, the state Pharmacy Board -in consultation with the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority-give a detailed implementation plan to the Governor and appropriate Committees of the Legislature to use to implement each component of the waiver under this act. (See also SB 6020.)
In Week Nine, the Senate bill won a vote of 40-6 on the Senate Floor. It is now in the House Health Care Committee.
The House bill was much amended and a Second Substitute House Bill passed the House by a vote of 54-42. It is now in the Senate Cttee on Health & Long-Term Care.
2SHB 1220/ SB 5442 – ESTABLISHING A JOINT LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE TASK FORCE ON LONG-TERM CARE FINANCING & CHRONIC CARE MANGE’T
This bill would create a joint task force composed of key members of the Governor’s Cabinet and the Legislature. The joint task force will submit a series of reports and recommendations to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature in 2006 and 2007.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill won a vote of 47-0 on the Senate Floor. It is now in the House Health Care Committee.
In Week Nine the House bill was amended again and a Second Substitute HB won a vote of 94-0 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
HB 1569/ SB 5698 – REGARDING QUALITY ASSURANCE IN BOARDING HOMES< NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS, PEER REIEW ORGANIZATIONS, AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLANS.
This bill would promote sharing of quality assurance information between boarding homes, nursing homes, coordinated quality improvement plans, peer review organizations, and hospitals to promote safe patient care and ensure consistency of care across organizations and practices.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
In Week Nine the House bill won a vote of 96-0 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.
HB 1571/ SB 5569 – REVISING THE NURSING FACILITY PAYMENT SYSTEM.
This bill stems from issues related to Medicaid, a federal-state program in which roughly half the funds come from the state and the state has broad discretion in setting eligibility and funding criteria, in this case for nursing homes. There are about 12,000 Washington residents receiving long-term care in 220 certified nursing home facilities. As health care costs continue to rise, budgeting for programs dependent on Medicaid, like nursing homes, gets more difficult. All but two of cost components in nursing facility Medicaid payments are currently based on 1999 costs; this bill would require more frequent adjustments.
Both bills appear DEAD, but the issue may be considered “necessary for the budget.”
SB 5277 – REQUIRING PLANS THAT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR PROSTHESES TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR HEARING AIDS.
This bill appears DEAD.
CHILDREN
HB 1052/ SB 5047 – PREVENTION QUALITY CONTROL COUNCIL
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD.
HB 1097/S SB 5104 – KEEP KIDS SAFE LICENSE PLATE
Creates a “Keep Kids Safe” license plate to raise money for projects of the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
The House bill is now in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill passed 48-0; it moves next to the House.
SHB 1178- ENSURING THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO MONITOR THE COMMUNICATIONS AND CONVERSATIONS OF THEIR MINOR CHILDREN
This bill would change state privacy laws to allow parents to monitor their minor children’s communications without legal restriction or penalty.
This bill is now on the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
HB 1278 - REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
This bill appears DEAD.
SHB 1605 – PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM AREA WIDE SOIL CONTAMINATION
This bill finds that emissions from certain industrial practices have contributed to arsenic and lead soil contamination covering dispersed areas in the state. Seeks to establish through the relevant state departments an area wide soil contamination school and child care facility certification program for schools and child care facilities within area wide soil contamination zones to reduce the risk of exposure.
In Week Nine, this bill passed in the House 95-0; it will now move to the Senate.
SHB 2029/ SB 5903 – REQUIRING THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENSE TO OVERSEE AND MONITOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF PARENTS IN DEPENDENCY AND TERMINATION PROCEEDING
This bill means to enhance the quality of legal representation in dependency and termination hearings. Attorneys, and agencies providing representation shall comply with the following: 1) Meet caseload requirements for dependency and termination cases, in accordance with standards published by the Office of Public Defense; 2) Implement enhanced defense attorney practice standards published by the Office of Public Defense, including reasonable case preparation and the delivery of adequate client advice; and 3) Use investigative and expert services.
The House bill appears DEAD..
In Week Nine, the Senate bill passed the Senate, 47-0. It moves next to the House.
HB 2039 – CHANGING PROVISIONS RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2068 – CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN TO TESTIFY IN DISSOLUTION PROCEEDINGS
This bill appears DEAD.
S HB 2181/ SB 5311 - CREATING AN AUTISM TASK FORCE
This bill creates a task force to study and make recommendations to the legislature regarding the growing incidence of autism, and ways to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services. The task force will submit its findings to the Legislature and Governor by 12/06.
The House Bill is now in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill was voted DO PASS in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. It is now on the Senate Floor and may be voted on at any time.
SSB 5081 – AUTHORIZING MONITORING OF A CHILD’S TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS BY PARENT OR GUARDIAN
This bill would allow parents and guardians to legally monitor their children’s phone conversations.
This bill is now on the Senate Floor; it may be voted on soon.
SSB 5125 - REDUCING HEAVY METALS IN CHILD USE AREA SOILS
This bill intends to create the safe playground soils program, through which technical and financial assistance will be provided by state and local health jurisdictions to the owner and operators of facilities having child use areas that may contain soil with elevated levels of heavy metals. This bill would also encourage testing of the soil in such areas, and require testing in geographic zones at higher risk of soil contamination.
It is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SSB 5188 - CREATING THE CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PROTECTION ADVISORY COUNCIL
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5189 - REDUCING CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5269 - MAINTAINING THE RESIDENTIAL PARENTING PROGRAM AT THE WOMEN’S CORRECTIONAL CENTER
This bill appears DEAD.
SSB 5308 - CHANGING PROVISIONS RELATING TO MANDATORY REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT
This bill expands reporting requirements. It provides that when any person - in his or her official supervisory capacity with a nonprofit or for-profit organization - has a reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect caused by a person over whom s/he exercises supervisory authority, the incident must be reported to the proper law enforcement agency.
In Week Nine, this bill was sent to the Senate Floor and passed by a vote of 46-0.
On Thursday 3/17 at 1:30 pm, this bill will get a Public Hearing in the House Children & Family Services Committee, in Hearing Room D of the O’Brien Building.
SSB 5309 - REVISING DEFINITION OF “ABUSE OF A SUPERVISORY POSITION”
This bill expands a key definition. It provides that “abuse of a supervisory position” means a direct or indirect threat, or promise to use authority to the detriment or benefit of a minor, or the use of a significant relationship to obtain consent of a minor.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the Senate by a vote of 44-0. It is now referred to the House Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee.
SB 5350 – SHARED PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
This bill appears DEAD.
SSB 5600 – ENCOURAGING EMPLOYERS TO BE INFANT FRIENDLY
This bill states that an employer, if requested by an employee, is encouraged to become infant-friendly. Existing law defines ‘infant-friendly’ (e.g. flexible work scheduling, privacy for breastfeeding, clean and safe water, etc).
It is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SSB 5633 – REVISING PROVISIONS RELATING RETENTION OF INFORMATION CONCERNING UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
This bill amends the time that the Department of Social and Health (DSHS) services can maintain files for unfounded referrals or reports of child abuse and neglect - from six years to one year. It also establishes that if DSHS does not comply, aggrieved persons
may institute proceedings in the Superior Court for the county in which the person lives in.
This bill is now the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
SSB 5872 – CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & CHILDREN
The original bill would have created a new government agency consisting of the current Children’s Administration and the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. That was rejected. Instead, a Substitute bill was passed which creates a seven-member task force to study the structure for a potential new department of family and children's services. The Study findings and recommendations are to be reported to the legislature in two parts, due 3/1/06 and 11/1/06.
This bill is now on the Senate floor calendar. It may be voted on at any time.
SSB 5873 – REVISING THE DUTIES OF THE FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S OMBUDSMAN.
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5875 – CLARIFYING THE INTERESTS OF PARENTS AND ALLEGED FATHERS UNDER THE JUVENILE COURT ACT
This bill adds to the definition of “parent” one that means an individual who has established a parent-child relationship under the law, unless the legal rights of that person have been terminated by a judicial proceeding or the equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5944 – REGARDING GRANDPARENT VISITATION
This bill appears DEAD .
SB 5996 - PROVIDING A PROCEDURE FOR COURT-ORDERED CONTACT WITH A CHILD FOR NON-PARENTS
This bill appears DEAD.
CHILD WELFARE/CHILDRENS' ISSUES
SHB 1190/ SSB 5213 - SUPPORTING LONG TERM SUCCESS OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCEFOR NEEDY FAMILIES AND THE WORKFIRST PROGRAM
This bill would allow the State to opt out of some of the federal restrictions to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Under these provisions, individuals who would have been ineligible to receive TANF benefits (through WorkFirst) because of a drug related felony conviction, or lack of drug assessment or treatment, would now be eligible for benefits.
The House bill is now in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill got an Executive Session in the Senate Ways & Means Committee and was voted DO PASS. It is now on the Senate Floor. It may be voted on soon.
SHB 1280 - EXTENDING THE KINSHIP CARE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
This bill extends the Kinship Care Oversight Committee and its duties.
This bill is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
SHB 1281 - EXPANDING THOSE WHO CAN GIVE CONSENT FOR MEDICAL CARE FOR MINORS
This bill adds to the list of persons who may give informed consent to medical care for minors, and provides immunity to health care providers and facilities when they rely on a person claiming to be responsible for the care of a minor. This bill intends to assist children in the care of kin, and to help kinship caregivers access appropriate medical care for a child in their care.
In Week Nine, the House passed the bill 93-0 (5 excused). It is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
HB 1391 – ESTABLISHING A WORK GROUP TO STUDY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1403/ SB 5053 – AUTHORIZING SERVICE BY PUBLICATION IN ACTIONS TO ESTABLISH OR MODIFY PARENTING PLANS FOR LEGAL SEPARATION OR INVALIDITY OF MARRIAGE, AND FOR NON-PARENTAL CUSTODY
This bill concerns the publication of actions to modify or establish parenting plans in cases of legal separation, invalidity of a marriage, and for non-parental custody cases.
The House bill passed by a vote of 89-0 (9 excused). It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On Friday 3/18 at 8:00 am, the Senate bill will get a Public Hearing in the House Juvenile Justice & Family Law Committee, in House Hearing Room E, in the O’Brien Building.
SHB 1426/ SB 5407 -ESTABLISHING AN INTERAGENCY PLAN FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS
This bill creates an interagency plan to coordinate and expand existing services for these families to improve the well-being of children of incarcerated parents, over both the short and long term.
In Week Eight, the House bill passed by a vote of 89-0 (9 excused). It is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
On Thursday 3/17 at 1:30 pm, the Senate bill will get a Public Hearing in the House Children & Family Services Committee. House Hearing Room D, in the O’Brien Building.
SHB 1467 – REQUIRING MANDATORY REPORTING OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF A CHILD WHEN DISCOVERED BY A PERSON CONNECTED WITH SPECIFIED NON-PROFIT ENTITIES.
This bill is very similar to SB 5308 (passed 46-0 and referred to House Children & Family Services Committee), however it only includes a person who is an employee, contractor, or volunteer of a nonprofit. (SB 5308 includes both for-profits and non-profits.)
This bill passed the House 98-0. It is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
SHB 1482 – REVISING PROVISIONS ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
. This bill appears DEAD.
SHB 1663 – CREATING THE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION INVESTMENT COUNCIL
This bill appears DEAD.
SHB 2030/SSB 6008 – REVISING PROVISIONS RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN
This bill creates a Juvenile Guardianship Legal Option for dependent children. The current dependency guardianship option would be eliminated.
In Week Nine, the House bill passed 94-0 (4 excused). It waits for referral to a Senate Committee.
T he Senate bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 2119 – PRIVATIZING CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
This bill appears DEAD.
SHB 2156 – REGARDING DEPENDENCY AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
This bill would limit the time a parent may be given to correct his or her parental deficiencies and that a parent must not be given repeated opportunities at the expense of the safety and stability of the child.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House 94-0. It will be referred to a Senate Committee.
SSB 5666 – REGARDING INFORMATION SHARING IN CHILD DEPENDENCY CASES
In order to aid in the prevention of tragic deaths of children in the child welfare system, those responsible for making placement decision in cases of child abuse or neglect should have the relevant evidence available to them to aid them in making placement decisions that will best protect the safety and welfare of the child.
This bill has passed the Senate 46-0 (3 excused).
On Thursday 3/17 at 1:30 pm, this bill will get a Public hearing in the House Children & Family Services Committee, in House Hearing Room D in the O’Brien Building.
SB 5880 – REGISTERING PRIVATE YOUTH COACHES
This bill appears DEAD.
SSB 5922 – CHANGING PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATION OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT
This bill provides that the training of child protective workers shall include, but is not limited to, the worker's legal duties to protect the rights of a child, and the child's family member, throughout the child and family member's period of involvement with the Department. The curriculum used for the training shall specifically include instruction on the fourth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and parents' legal rights.
This bill is now on the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
SB 6007 - INCREASING CHILD SAFETY BY REQUIRING TRANSITION SERVICES IN CHILD PLACEMENT MATTERS.
This bill appears DEAD.
SCR 8404 – SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REVIEW TRAINING OF THE CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION CASEWORKERS
This Concurrent Resolution establishes a committee to review all aspects of the current Children’s Administration caseworker training academy curriculum on child abuse and neglect, as well as caseworker supervisor training. The committee is also directed to review best practices for caseworker and supervisor training as identified by the Council on Accreditation. The committee would be staffed by the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. It would consist of Children’s Administration employees, WA Federation of State Employees, WA Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Department of Health, the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombudsman, Office of the Attorney General, Office of Public Defense, Prosecutors, Superior Court Judges, and four members of the legislature. Input would be sought from experts in child abuse and neglect, as needed, to develop recommendations. A final report would be submitted to the legislature by Sept. 30, 2006.
This Resolution was referred to the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee but has not been scheduled for a hearing. Resolutions do not have the force of law and are not subject to the cut-off dates
DISABILITIES
HB 1040 – REGARDING THE OPERATION OF HABILITATION CENTERS.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1107/SB 5141 – PROVIDING FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES .
This bill would require school districts to provide for early intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age, and establish a birth-to-three task force to make recommendations to the Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD but supporters are trying to find a way to keep the issue alive.
HB 1122 – PROVIDING FOR TRAINING TEACHERS FOR THE DEAF.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1328 / SB 5192– ESTABLISHING THE COMPOSITION AND JURISDICTION OF CITY AND COUNTY DISABILITY BOARDS.
The House bill won a vote of 89-0 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, where it is waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1416/ SB 6052 – EXPANDING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CASELOAD FORECAST COUNCIL
Both bills appear DEAD.
HB 1519 – CREATING A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY TRUST ACCOUNT
This bill directs that proceeds from the sale or leasing of excess Residential Habilitation Center (RHC) property at Rainier, Yakima and Lakeland Village. This bill is NOT related to Fircrest, and does not have any impact on current RHC operations, or the clients at any of the state's five institutions for people with developmental disabilities. This bill appears DEAD.
HB1791 - is a second House bill with a similar purpose, though it is limited only to proceeds from leasing. In Week Nine it won a vote of 97-1 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
SB 5702 - is a similar, though not identical, Senate bill. In Week Nineitmoved out to theSenate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
All three bills have the same goal – to maximize unused property at three of the state’s institutions and use the proceeds to benefit people in their homes and communities.
HB 1587/ SB 5680 – REGARDING CAPITAL FACILITIES AT THE RAINIER SCHOOL.
This bill would remove Washington State University’s control over the Rainier property and leave it under the ownership of the Department of Social and Health Services.
In Week Nine, the House bill won a vote of 98-0 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill won a vote of 48-0 on the Senate Floor. It is now in the House Capital Budget Committee.
HB 2126 – PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION TO DEPENDENT PERSONS WHO ARE CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES
This bill stems from the fact that vulnerable adults are more likely to be victims of crime, but when they are abused, neglected or exploited it is often difficult to prosecute the perpetrator. Prosecutors face multiple barriers because victims of crimes who have disabilities or are elderly are often unavailable to testify at trial; the abusers often are caregivers, service providers and/or family members on whom the victim depends for survival; and for other reasons. This bill would give prosecutors additional tools with which to prosecute these crimes, including the right to request a video-taped deposition if it is likely that the victim will be unavailable to testify at the trial, and various supports and accommodations for victims of crimes who have disabilities.
In Week Nine, this bill moved out to the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
HB 2181/ SB 5311 – CREATING AN AUTISM TASK FORCE
This bill would establish the Caring for Washington Children with Autism Task Force to study and make recommendations to the legislature regarding the growing incidence of autism and ways to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services in the state.
The House bill remains in the House Rules Cttee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
In Week Nine the Senate bill moved to the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
HB 2190 – CREATING A COMMISSION TO STUDY CARE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The bill would establish a commission in the Governor's Office to review the need for, and
existing capacity of, residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities
This bill appears DEAD, but supporters are trying to keep the issue alive.
SSB 5349 – CREATING A DYSLEXIA READING INSTRUCTION PILOT PROGRAM
This bill is concerned with early identification and treatment (including proper diagnosis, appropriate instruction, etc) as the key to helping dyslexics succeed in school and life. It requires (but only if funds are available) the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee - JLARC, to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the identification of students with dyslexia and the effectiveness of the educational services received by students with dyslexia.
In Week Nine, this bill won a vote of 48-0 on the Senate Floor. It goes next to the House.
HEALTH CARE
Work Session:
On Thursday, 3/17 at 8:00 am there will be a Work Session in the House Health Care Committee on Hospital Funding and the Health Care Safety Net. House Hearing Room A, O’Brien Building.
Work Session:
On Thursday, 3/17 at 3:30 pm, the Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education will hold a Work Session on Guidelines for sexual health information and disease prevention. Senate Hearing Room 1, Cherberg Building. Also on TVW.
HB 1109 – MODIFYING DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA REQUIREMENTS
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1123/ SSB 5029 – REQUIRING SAFE DRINKING WATER IN SCHOOLS.
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD.
HB 1137/ SB 5248 – MODIFYING THE SCOPE OF CARE PROVIDED BY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
This bill intends that only individuals who meet prescribed standards of competence and conduct should be allowed to engage in the practice of physical therapy.
The Senate bill is now on the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
The House bill won a vote of 88-9 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.
HB 1166 – INCLUDING ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES IN GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLANNING
This bill appears DEAD. However, on Thursday, 3/17 at 1:30 pm, this bill will get a courtesy Public Hearing in the House Committee on Local Government. House Hearing Room E, O’Brien Building.
Prescription Drugs
By now these four prescription drug bills have passed the House Floor and were sent to the Senate, in some cases after being amended on the House Floor.
SSHB 1168 – AUTHORIZING THE STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY TO REGULATE NONRESIDENT CANADIAN PHARMACIES.
This bill attempts to deal with the increase in prescription drug purchases from Canada, and the desire to ensure the safety of drugs purchased this way. The bill thus authorizes the state board of pharmacy to regulate nonresident Canadian pharmacies, directs the board to develop a reciprocal licensing agreement with Health Canada or an applicable Canadian province. If the board is unable to develop such an agreement, it will develop a process to license nonresident pharmacies through on-site inspection and certification.
In Week Seven this bill (with amendments; it is now Second Substitute House Bill) passed the House by a vote of 54-41. It is now in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Cttee.
HB 1194 – REGARDING RE-IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
This bill would authorize agencies that administer state-purchased health care programs to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian sources, provided they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It would also require the state Health Care Authority to develop a website to inform people on opportunities to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian pharmacies.
In Week Six this bill passed the House by a vote of 56-42. It is now in the Senate Committee on Health and Long-Term Care.
SHB 1219 – AUTHORIZING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASING CONSORTIUM
This bill would require the state Health Care Authority to adopt policies necessary for establishing a prescription drug purchasing consortium. The state-purchased health care programs would then (in most cases) purchase prescription drugs through the consortium for those prescription drugs that are purchased directly by the state, and those that are purchased through reimbursement of pharmacies.
In Week Six this bill was amended and passed by the House with a vote of 55-42.
It is now in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-term Care.
SSHB 1316/ SB 5470 – ALLOWING THE IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM CANADIAN WHOLESALERS
This bill is similar to HB 1168, but is concerned with the purchase of prescription drugs from approved Canadian wholesalers. It asks that by 9/1/05, the state Pharmacy Board - in consultation with the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority- submit a waiver request to the federal Food and Drug Administration to authorize the state of Washington to license Canadian prescription drug wholesalers, thereby providing retail pharmacies licensed in Washington the opportunity to purchase prescription drugs from approved Canadian wholesalers and pass those savings on to consumers. It also asks that by 12/1/05, the state Pharmacy Board -in consultation with the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority-give a detailed implementation plan to the Governor and appropriate Committees of the Legislature to use to implement each component of the waiver under this act. (See also SB 6020.)
In Week Nine, the Senate bill won a vote of 40-6 on the Senate Floor. It is now in the House Health Care Committee.
The House bill was much amended and a Second Substitute House Bill passed the House by a vote of 54-42. It is now in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.
HB 1221/ SB 5472 – EXPANDING HEALTH BENEFIT OPTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD.
SHB 1282/ SB 5306 – REGARDING SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION
This bill intends that young people be equipped with the comprehensive, medically accurate, age-appropriate information that they need to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. It would require every school district that offers sexual health education to incorporate the January 2005 guidelines for sexual health information and disease prevention of the department of health and the office of the superintendent of public instruction. Such education must emphasize abstinence, but exclusively; in addition to abstinence, sexual health education must teach medically accurate information about the effectiveness of contraceptives and other family planning options. Several Floor Amendments were adopted.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
The House bill won a vote of 61-36 on the House Floor. On Thursday, 3/17 at 3:30 pm, the House bill will get a Public Hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education. Senate Hearing Room 1, Cherberg Building. Also on TVW.
HB 1371/ SB 5368 – MODIFYING NURSE MANDATORY OVERTIME PROHIBITION
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD.
HB 1388 – LIMITING THE USE OF HIGH HAZARD PESTICIDES ON SCHOOL FACILITIES.
This House bill appears DEAD .
SHB 1397/ SB 5397 - CHANGING VEHICLE EMISSION STANDARD PROVISIONSS
Popularly described as a transportation-related bill to bring California emission standards to Washington, the bill acknowledges upfront that motor vehicles contribute more than half of all air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, they are also responsible for eighty percent of air toxics emissions, and thus harm public health, the environment, and the economy. This bill is also being watched by groups concerned with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
The House bill moved out to the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
T he Senate bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1427/ SB 5898 – ORDERING A PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.
The bill stems from concern that postpartum depression is a serious condition affecting women of all ages, economic status, and racial and ethnic backgrounds, which can be treated with medication and counseling. If untreated, postpartum depression can lead to further depression, self-destructive behavior, or even suicide, as well as child abuse, neglect, or death of the infant or other siblings. The bill would provide for a council to conduct a proactive, public information and communication outreach campaign concerning the significance, signs, and treatment of postpartum depression. It may include production and distribution of a brochure and communication by electronic media, telephone hotlines, and parenting education events.
The House bill appears DEAD – but it may reappear as a budget proviso .
In Week Nine, the Senate bill moved to the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
HB 1441 – PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN.
This bill is prompted by the fact that since 2003, over 62,000 children have lost health coverage they had under Medicaid in Washington state. A recent Governor’s Executive Order will help, but legislation is still needed. As amended in the Policy Committee, it would restore many of the cuts to children’s health care made by the legislature in recent years, though somewhat scaled back from the bill originally introduced. Two key features of the Substitute House Bill: it would prohibit implementation of Medicaid premiums, and it would re-establish the Children’s Health Program. Funding will be key (e.g., to pay for the care of immigrant children and legal resident children here less than five years).
In the House Appropriations Committee the bill was stripped of all but the “intent” clause. Supporters hope to restore some of what was lost in Appropriations.
It is now in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1494 – IMPROVING DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE TO SCHOOL CHILDREN
This bill intends to deal with the shortage of school nurses with appropriate expertise in Washington schools. Beginning with the 2006-07 school year, it would require that each class I school district maintain a ratio of at least one school nurse for every two thousand full-time equivalent students. Beginning in the 2008-09 school year, each class I school district shall maintain a ratio of at least one school nurse for every one thousand five hundred full-time equivalent students.
In Week Nine, this bill won a vote of 75-21 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.
SHB 1516 – INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN THROUGH THE “KIDS GET CARE” SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL
This bill is based on a model currently being used in three counties to provide integrated preventive medical, oral, and developmental health services to young children. It reduces the need for hospitalization, caries treatment, and developmental interventions, and expands the use of evidence-based preventive measures in community health centers and private medical practices treating low-income children. Funds provided for in the bill would be used to develop and implement best practices in preventive health care for children statewide.
In Week Nine, this bill won a vote of 70-26 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
HB 1656 – DEFINING ABSTINENCE EDUCATION AND COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION FOR K-12 STUDENTS.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1702/ SB 5637 – CREATING THE ‘HEALTH CARE RESPONSIBILITY ACT’ TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD.
HB 1714/ SB 5592 – PROHIBITING SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD. (see also HB 2038 and SB 5909.)
HB 1904/ SSB 5841 – PROVIDING FOR THE PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, and TREATMENT OF ASTHMA.
This bill stems from the fact that asthma is the most common long-term disease of children. (The Washington asthma prevalence rate is among the highest, with an estimated 450,000 adults and 150,000 children affected.) A 2004 federal law directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give preference in grant-making to states that require public elementary and secondary schools to allow students to self-administer medication to treat asthma or anaphylaxis.
This bill would make Washington eligible for such grants. It would require a uniform policy for all school districts regarding the training of school staff about children with asthma, adoption of policies regarding asthma rescue procedures and prevention policies. Plus, all elementary and secondary schools must authorize any student to self-administer medication to treat his or her asthma or anaphylaxis where appropriate. Other sections require better coordination and the collection of data regarding prevalence.
The House bill appears DEAD .
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Cttee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5048 – PROHIBITING TOBACCO PRODUCT SAMPLING
This bill finds that tobacco samples contribute to children's access to tobacco products by providing a no-cost initiation that encourages minors to experiment with nicotine at early ages. Tobacco samples are distributed along with other promotional items that contain tobacco brand logos, increasing the appeal of the tobacco products as well as the chances that children will obtain them. This bill would protect minors from the influence of tobacco sampling by eliminating the distribution of samples in Washington. (See also SB 5909.)
This bill passed the Full Senate by a vote of 38-9. It is now in the House Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SSB 5065 – REQUIRING NOTICE OF POTENTIAL INJURIES RESULTING FROM HEALTH CARE
This bill provides that hospitals shall have policies in place to assure that information about unanticipated outcomes is provided to patients, their families, or any surrogate decision makers.
In Week Nine, this bill won a vote of 46-1. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
SB 5068 – PROVIDING HEALTH INFORMATION FOR YOUTH
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5114 – PROHIBITING SMOKING WITHIN THIRTY-FIVE FEET OF PUBLIC PLACES
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5149 – REQUIRES DISCLOSURE OF GIFTS BY PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS TO PERSONS WHO PRESCRIBE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5189 – REDUCING CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE.
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5390 – CONCERNING IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CARE IN STATE-PURCHASED HEALTH PROGRAMS.
This bill hopes to reward improvements in health outcomes for individuals with chronic diseases, increased use of preventive health services, particularly for children, and reductions in medical errors; and increase, the use of information technology that contributes to improved health outcomes, better coordination of care, and decreased medical errors.
This bill passed the Senate 42-0 (7 absent). It is now in the House Health Care Cttee.
SB 5451 – MODIFYING EXCISE TAXATION OF COSMETIC MEDICAL SERVICES
This bill would add elective cosmetic surgery and related services to the list of items eligible for taxation. “Cosmetic medical services" means any medical procedure performed on an adult that is directed at improving a person’s appearance and which does not meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. The tax collected under this change would then be deposited into the health services account, and used to pay for children's health care services.
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5909– REVISING REGULATION OF INDOOR SMOKING FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING MINORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH
This bill also deals with indoor smoking, by permitting smoking in certain designated areas – e.g., where bingo is played, but would ban children and youth under 18 from being in any area in which smoking is permitted. This bill is not supported by the Lung Association.
This bill is now on the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
HB 2038 – ENACTING A COMPLETE STATEWIDE SMOKING BAN IN PUBLIC PLACES
Like HB 1714, this bill would ban the use of “designated smoking areas,” promote expansion of the Clean Indoor Air Act (to include restaurants, bowling alleys, etc), and would increase fines related to any violations. This bill is supported by the Lung Association.
This bill is now in the House Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5722 – CONCERNING SMALL EMPLOYERS AND THE BASIC HEALTH PLAN.
This bill concerns small employers wishing to offer group coverage on behalf of themselves and their employees, spouses, and dependent children who reside in an area served by the plan. Coverage would not be conditioned on the small group enrollees meeting the eligibility requirements for subsidized enrollees, or be required to report total household income of their employees as a condition of receiving group coverage. Premiums due from small employers participating in the plan would be equal to the cost charged by the managed health care system to the state for the plan plus the administrative cost of providing the plan.
This bill is now on the Senate Floor.
HB 2133/ SB 5888 – ADDRESSING ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
The Washington State Health Insurance Pool was set up in the late 1980s to "provide access to health insurance coverage to all residents of Washington who are denied health insurance." It is
commonly called the “High Risk Pool,” because it is where high risk individuals turn for health coverage. Unfortunately, it is very expensive and in practice, certain problems have developed (some of those needing it most are excluded, claims are rejected, scrutiny is minimal, and consumers are dissatisfied). This bill would authorize the Insurance Commissioner to review and disapprove premiums charged for individual health benefit plans. It would also take steps to reduce the number of persons who may be denied enrollment in the individual market to five percent, and make changes to the structure and operation of the Washington State Health Insurance Pool. (E.g., its meetings would become subject to the Open Public Meetings Act, the composition of the WSHIP board of directors would be changed to increase consumer representation, and responsibility for administering premium discounts for enrollees is moved from the Health Care Authority to the pool administrator.)
The House bill appears DEAD.
The Senate bill is now in the Senate Rules Cttee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
HB 1074/SSB 5108 – INCREASING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CAP ON THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM
This bill would increase the cap to 5% of annual available funds.
In Week Nine, the House bill moved out to the House Floor, to be voted on at any time.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1235 – REQUIRING CONSULTATION BETWEEN COUNTIES, CITIES, AND TOWNS BEFORE SITING HOMELESS CAMPS.
The bill would require that before one jurisdiction can agree to the siting of a homeless encampment that is even partially within a city or town, shares a common boundary with a city or town, or is within one thousand feet of a city or town boundary, they must consult with the those cities or towns at least fifteen days prior. During the Public Hearing witnesses expressed a need to clarify the meaning of the word “consult.” The bill was not amended before being voted out of Committee, but it appears that “consult” just means “notify” and cannot be used to delay.
In Week Eight, this bill won a vote of 94-2 on the House Floor. On Thursday, 3/17 it is scheduled for Hearing/Executive Session in the Senate Committee on Government Operations.
HB 1583/ SSB 5577 – MAKING AVAILABLE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO TENANTS
This bill would establish a process by which displaced tenants would receive funds for relocation from landlords who fail to provide safe and sanitary housing after due notice of building code or health code violations. It would also provide enforcement mechanisms to cities, towns, counties, or municipal corporations - including the ability to advance relocation funds to tenants who are displaced as a result of a landlord's failure to remedy building code or health code violations, and later to collect these relocation funds, along with interest and penalties, from landlords.
The House bill is on the House Floor; it is waiting for a Floor vote.
In Week Nine , the Senate bill won a vote of 48-0 on the Senate Floor.
On Thursday, 3/17 at 10:00 am, it will get a Public Hearing in the House Committee on Housing. House Hearing Room D, O’Brien Building.
HB 1585 – AUTHORIZING STANDARDS FOR HOUSING FOR PERSONS WHO ARE TEMPORARILY HOMELESS.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1629 – REVISING DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS FOR OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE OF VERY LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECTS
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1640/ SB 5660 – PROVIDING A DISPUTE MECHANISM FOR MANUFATURED/MOBILE HOME LANDLORD AND TENANT DISPUTES
This bill recognizes that taking legal action against a park owner for violations of the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act can be a costly and lengthy process, and many people cannot afford to go into court to protect their rights. Park owners would also benefit from a process that resolves disputes quickly and efficiently. The bill would provide a mechanism for state authorities to quickly locate owners of manufactured housing communities, and authorize the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to register mobile home parks or manufactured housing communities, conduct investigations, issue citations, issue cease and desist orders, and impose fines for violations of the Act.
In Week Nine, the House bill moved out to the House Floor, to be voted on at any time.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
HB 1810 – ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2013 – PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON LAWFUL SOURCE OF INCOME
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2026 – ESTABLISHING THE WASHINGTON RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
This bill appears DEAD.
SHB 2163 – ESTABLISHING A HOMELESS HOUSING PROGRAM
Among its provisions, this bill includes legislative intent language that homelessness in Washington is to be ended by 2015; and it also carries new revenues to be devoted to this purpose (through increases in the recording fee). Concerns were raised during testimony and the bill is being re-written to address them; that may not be possible in the time remaining.
In Week Nine, this bill moved out to the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
SSB 5183 – PROVIDING TAX RELIEF TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5713 – ASSISTING TENANTS IN MULTIPLE-UNIT HOUSING PROPOSED FOR REHABILITATION.
This bill is an effort to protect tenants from being forced out of housing with no opportunity to find housing of comparable size, quality, and price and a reasonable opportunity to relocate.
This bill moved out to the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
SSB 5767 – DEVELOPING PLANS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING NEEDS OF HOMELESS PERSONS.
This bill is similar to, but not identical to, HB 1810. It would ask each county to create a task force to develop a ten-year plan for short- and long-term housing for homeless persons. Membership on the task force would be broad, and would establish guidelines, as needed, for a broad range of housing (e.g., emergency shelters, short-term housing, temporary encampments, supportive housing, and long-term housing).
In Week Nine, this bill moved out to the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
SB 6044 – PROVIDING HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1057/ SB 5051 – CAPITAL BUDGET, Housing Trust Fund
This fund is the state’s largest public funding source for the creation of affordable homes for low income families and individuals. Since its inception it has developed, preserved, or rehabilitated over 25,000 housing units, and leveraged over $1.5 billion in public and private funds. Low income housing advocates are seeking an increase in the Housing Trust Fund to $100 million for the biennium. It is currently set at $80 million. This bill is not subject to the regular cut-offs.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
The House bill remains in the House Capital Budget Committee.
NOTE: There is a House Joint Memorial (HJM 4009), calling on President Bush and the U.S. Congress to maintain Section 8 housing, and a House Joint Memorial (HJM 4013) calling on the Governor, all Counties in the state, and all 11 members of the state’s delegation to the U.S. Congress, to recognize and address the growing epidemic of homelessness, promote a statewide effort to count and track homeless individuals and children, and publicly highlight and support successful homeless housing programs in the state. Joint Memorials do not have the force of law, but are an effort to send a strong message from the body, to other governmental entities..
Both Joint Memorials remain in the House Rules Cttee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HUNGER AND NUTRITION
HB 1593/ SSB 5597 – FUNDING FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAMS
The farmers market nutrition programs serve many good purposes. They: promote health, alleviate hunger, prevent obesity, and encourage the purchase of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables – and thus support small farmers and rural economies. Low income women with children and low-income and homebound seniors alike benefit, through farmers markets, congregate meals sites, and senior housing. This bill would provide $1,150,000 to support these programs, to maintain current program levels and give small farmers access to income.
Both bills appear DEAD, but supporters hope to keep the issue alive as a Budget Proviso.
HB 1771 – REQUIRING SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAMS IN CERTAIN SCHOOLS
This bill would require that school districts implement a school breakfast program in each school where more than 40% of students eligible for the school lunch program qualify for free or reduced-price meals by the school year 2005-06. This would ensure that breakfast is available in schools with large concentrations of low-income children. (Fewer than 30 schools are affected.)
In Week Nine, this bill won a vote of 60-34 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate.
Budget Item: Emergency Food.
Food banks and other emergency food providers will be seeking additional funds for emergency food purchase, transportation, and education.
INCOME SUPPORTS/WELFARE
SHB 1100 - CREATING A STATE FINANCIAL AID ACCOUNT
This bill intends to assure that funds available for financial aid are readily available to eligible students and not delayed by transfers from one account to another. The financial aid programs in the account are: the State Need Grant, State Work Study, Washington Scholars, Washington Award for Vocational Excellence, and the Educational Opportunity Grant.
This bill won a vote of 97-0 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12, & Higher Education.
SHB 1173/SSB 5069 - ESTABLISHING FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE
This bill would establish a program of limited income support for a limited period to allow parents to bond with a newborn or newly placed child, and workers to care for seriously ill family members or recover from their own serious health condition. Such a program would reduce reliance on state income support programs by increasing an individual's ability to provide care-giving services for family members while still maintaining an employment relationship.
A substitute Senate bill was adopted in Executive Session, which differs from the original bill in several ways. Beginning dates have been changed; “domestic partner” has been removed from the definition of family member; employees could not take family leave for his/her own medical issues; and "serious health condition" would include a period of incapacity or treatment that lasts more then five days.
The House bill appears DEAD.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill was acted on in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. It is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1189/ SB 5393 – PROVIDING RELIEF FOR INDIGENT VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The bill would require counties to establish veterans' assistance programs to help qualifying local indigent veterans and their families, and a veterans’ advisory board to give advice on the needs, resources, and available programs – including help with burial funds.
In Week Nine, the House bill won a vote of 90-6 on the House Floor. It is now in the Senate Committee on Government Operations.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SHB 1190/ SSB 5213 - SUPPORTING LONG TERM SUCCESS OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) AND THE WORKFIRST PROGRAM
This bill would allow the State to join fourteen other states and opt out of one of the federal restrictions to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Under this change, individuals who would have been ineligible to receive TANF benefits (through WorkFirst) because of a drug-related felony conviction, or lack of drug assessment or treatment, would now be eligible to receive these benefits. No other felony conviction (rape, murder, assault) results in the loss of eligibility for TANF, and the disqualification particularly harms the children of former felons and victims of domestic violence. The Senate bill was amended in the Human Services & Corrections Committee to restrict access to TANF/WorkFirst with a life-long ban for anyone with two drug-related felony convictions since 1996, and no mechanism to
become eligible any time in the future (currently someone with a drug-related conviction can become eligible again through assessment & treatment). This may yet be changed.
The House bill remains in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill was acted on in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. It is now on the Senate Floor; it may be voted on at any time.
SHB 1408/ SSB 5469 – CREATING AN INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT PROGAM
This bill is also known as the Saving Earning and Enabling Dreams (SEED) Act. The bill would provide for an IDA program within DCTED - the Department of Community Trade & Economic Development. Individual Development Accounts are savings accounts that encourage people with lower incomes to save, invest, and build assets. Eligible individuals include low-income individuals (someone whose household income is equal or less than either: 80 percent of the median family income, adjusted for household size; or 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.) and foster youth (someone 15 years of age or older who is a dependent of the Department of Social and Health Services - DSHS; or is at least 15 years of age, but not more than 23 years of age, who was a dependent DSHS for 24 months after age13.)
Community agencies partner with banks and financial institutions to create accounts and give account-holders financial training. Each dollar saved by account-holders is matched by the state. The account can be tapped for limited purposes, e.g., to buy a home, finance a higher education, start a small business, and for certain emergencies. Washington currently has a limited IDA program for people eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) that is funded through the welfare budget. That funding expires in June 2005 and the program will end unless the legislature takes action.
The House bill was acted on in the House Appropriations Committee. It is now on the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
HB 1570 – CREATING THE WASHINGTON VOLUNTARY ACCOUNTS PROGRAM
This bill stems from concern that many workers do not have access to an employment-based retirement plan. Workers who are unable to build up pensions and savings risk living on low incomes in their old age and are more likely to become dependent on state services. The bill would create a Washington Voluntary Accounts program to provide a simple and inexpensive way for workers to save for retirement and employers to offer an employee benefit.
This bill remains in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1550/ SSB 5759 – SUPPORTING THE STATE ACHIEVERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
This bill would broaden higher education opportunities by: providing for mentoring to ensure academic support is available to students while in high school; encouraging college enrollment, and assisting once enrolled; reducing financial barriers to college for talented, low-income students; and, leveraging private funding for higher education financial assistance.
The House bill appears DEAD.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1589/ SB 5578 – INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION THAT QUALIFIES AS A WORK ACTIVITY UNDER WORKFIRST.
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD.
HB 1636/ SB 5684 – ADOPTING A WAGE LADDER FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS
This bill would increase wages to child care workers by establishing a child care career and wage ladder that provides increased wages for child care workers based on their work experience, level of responsibility, and education. Within available funds, this career and wage ladder is expected to mirror the successful child care career and wage ladder pilot project operated by the state between 2000 and 2003. Among the demonstrated successes: lower turnover among child care workers in the pilot project – a factor known to improve child development and learning.
In Week Nine, the House bill was acted on in the House Appropriations Cttee. It is now on the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
HB 1833 – PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR IMPROVED JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES
This bill would require the integration of job training and placement services provided through the WorkFirst program, and those provided through the federal Workforce Investment Act – two programs important to low-income adults.
In Week Nine, this bill moved to the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1867 – RESTRICTING THE USE OF FUNDS FOR THE WASHINGTON WORKFIRST PROGRAM
This bill would eliminate the “welfare box” controlled by the Governor, and reassert the Legislature’s role with respect to funds provided for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant and state Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funding. These funds would be subject to appropriation, as well as any conditions contained in the biennial or supplemental operating budget.
In Week Nine, this bill was acted on in Appropriations and moved to the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SHB 1251/ SSB 5692 – REGULATING TAX REFUND ANTICIPATION LOANS
This bill would establish state-wide regulation of Refund Anticipation Laws, similar to the standards used by some commercial tax-preparers. Because it retroactively and prospectively pre-empts any local government actions on tax refund anticipation loans, it would effectively negate a stronger local law passed by Seattle. This issue is of particular concern to those working with low-income people who may be persuaded (without full understanding) to agree to a very high-interest “loan” in order to get their federal tax refund a little faster. Senate-passed amendments clarify what must be disclosed to consumers, and increase penalties for any failures.
However the bill would pre-empt a stiffer Seattle RAL ordinance. Supporters believe the most significant part of the substitute bill is the addition of consumer protection act remedies – to allow the Attorney General to help enforce the law, and allow consumers to sue to enforce the law (with triple damages and attorney's fees).
The House bill is now on the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
In Week Nine the Senate bill passed the full Senate 48-0. It is now in the House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.
SHB 1419/ SB 5266 – RESERVING STATE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE CUSTOMER FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.
This bill would enforce uniformity in financial transactions across the state, and forbid the regulation of financial transactions by cities, towns and other local government entities.
(Thus, like HB 1215/ SB 5692 – above, this bill would negate the City of Seattle’s tighter local law.) This issue is of particular concern to those working with low-income people who may be persuaded (without full understanding) to agree to a very high-interest “loan” in order to get their federal tax refund a little faster. The Senate bill’s only amendment was a technical correction.
The House bill is now on the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill passed the full Senate 41-4. It is now in the House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.
SB 5796 – REGULATING REFUND ANTICIPATION LOANS
This bill appears DEAD.
SSB 5850 – CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF “SICK LEAVE” FOR FAMILY LEAVE
In Week Nine this bill won a vote of 48-0. It is now in the House.
Budget Items:
Advocates for low-income adults are seeking $3 million to fund the Gaining Independence Act. Passed by the legislature in 2003, the act was never funded in the budget. This would help parents who qualify for financial aid pay meet child care costs while they are in school, providing up to 3,000 grants of at least $1,000 each.
Advocates for low-income adults who are temporarily unable to work due to mental or physical disability, are seeking to protect funding for the GAU (General Assistance – Unemployable) program in the budget. Eligible recipients get $339 a month to pay for shelter/housing, food,
and other basic needs. Without GAU, many will become homeless or more disabled.
JUVENILES/YOUTH
Work Session:
On Thursday, 3/17 at 3:30 pm, there will be a Work Session on Dropout Prevention and Retrieval in the Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education. Senate Hearing Room 1, Cherberg Building. Also on TVW.
2SHB 1050 – FOSTER CARE SCHOLARSHIP
This bill would create an endowed scholarship for eligible foster care students to attend an institution of higher learning in Washington State. The bill matches state dollars from the Higher Education Board with private cash donations.
This bill is now in the Senate Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education Committee.
SHB 1058 – MENTAL HEALTH FOR MINORS
This bill authorizes an evaluation and treatment facility to admit for evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment any minor under thirteen years of age for whom application is made by the minor’s parent or guardian. The consent of the minor under the age of thirteen is not required. It also clarifies the parent role in placement of a minor and shortens timelines for decisions about the medical necessity of treatment. It adds limited liability protection to facilities and professionals who act in good faith in accordance with the law.
This bill is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
SHB 1079/SSB 5084 - FOSTER YOUTH EDUCATION
This bill was requested by former Governor Locke. It would establish a Foster Youth Post-secondary Education and Training Coordination Committee.
In Week Nine, the House bill passed the House, 95-0.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill passed the Senate 46-0. It is now in the House Higher Education Committee.
HB 1082 – MENTAL HEALTH FOR MINORS
This bill is a technical clean-up of the numbering and ordering of current Regulations (Revised Code of Washington - RCW’s) pertaining to mental health for minors.
This bill is now in the Senate Human Services & Correction Committee.
EHB 1187 - ELIMINATING MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS TRIED AS ADULTS
This bill finds that emerging research on brain development indicates that adolescent brains, and thus adolescent understanding and capabilities, differ from those of mature adults. It is right to take these differences into consideration when sentencing juveniles tried as adults. The bill intends to eliminate the application of mandatory minimum sentences for juveniles tried as adults, but continue to apply all other adult sentencing provisions to juveniles tried as adults.
In Week Nine, the bill was amended and passed 96-0. It goes next to the House.
HB 1279 - REVISING PROVISIONS RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS TO CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES AND AT-RISK YOUTH HEARINGS
This bill changes the law to allow courts to conduct these hearings in any venue available to the parents, and allows public access unless the judge finds it detrimental to the child’s interests.
This bill is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
ESHB 1282/ SB 5306 - REGARDING SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION
This bill requires every school district that offers sexual health education to incorporate the January, ‘05 guidelines for sexual health information and disease prevention of the Department of Health and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. They must emphasize abstinence, as required by law, except abstinence may not be taught to the exclusion of other methods of preventing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. In addition to abstinence, sexual health education must teach medically accurate information about the effectiveness of contraceptives and other family planning options.
The Senate bill appears Dead.
The House bill is now in the Senate Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education Cttee.
SHB 1366 – VIDEO GAMING RATING SYSTEMS
This bill would require persons and retail establishments that sell video games, to post signs with nationally-recognized rating systems. Upon request, retailers would be required to provide consumers with information on the rating system.
InWeek Nine, this bill passed the House, 95-0. It is now in the Senate Human Services & Correction Committee.
HB 1408/ SSB 5469 – CREATING AN INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT (IDA) PROGAM
See also INCOME SUPPORTS: individuals eligible for IDA’s include Foster Youth. The House bill is now scheduled for Floor Action.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
SHB 1483 /SB 5567 – CREATING AN “INVESTING IN YOUTH” PROGRAM
This bill’s intent is to create incentives for local government investments in cost-effective intervention services that reduce crime by reimbursing local governments with a portion of the cost savings that accrue to the state as the result of local investments in such services. Based on an existing model, it would create a pilot program limited initially to three sites with at least one in a large population center, and one in a relatively small population center.
In Week Nine, the House bill passed the House 85-0. It is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
SHB 1531 - LIMITING THE WAIVER OF COUNSEL IN JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
This bill provides that in any proceeding in which a child has the right to the assistance of counsel, neither the child nor the parent, guardian, or custodian may waive the child’s right to counsel - unless the court has considered the evidence of the child’s school performance and any testing which the school may have conducted. It further declares that the continuance of a hearing due to these conditions may not be a basis for detaining the child.
This bill is now in the House Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SHB 1644 – CHANGING THE LAW PERTAINING TO WAIVER OF RIGHTS BY A JUVENILE
This bill requires that a minor must be sixteen years of age or older in order to waive their rights without consultation with a parent, guardian, custodian, or the advice of an attorney.
This bill is now in the House Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SHB 1660 – EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF “AT RISK YOUTH”
This bill appears DEAD.
SHB 1661/SSB 5500 – SPECIFYING PROCEDURES FOR TRANSFER OF JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
This bill provides that if the court orders a transfer of venue, the case and the copies of all legal and social documents shall be transferred to the county in which the juvenile resides, without regard to whether or not his or her custodial parent resides there for supervision and enforcement of the disposition order.
The Senate bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
In Week Nine, the House bill passed the House 97-0. It is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
SHB 1708 – REGARDING DROPOUT PREVENTION
This bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to review and evaluate promising programs for dropout prevention. The bill requires a report to be made to the legislature by December 1, 2005 on the two most promising programs. It directs the superintendent to establish school and school district goals addressing high school graduation rates and dropout reduction goals for students in grades 7-12. It includes requirements to show progress under the federal “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.”
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House 98-0.
On Thursday 3/17 at 3:30 pm, this bill will get a Public Hearing in the Senate Early Learning, K12 & Higher Education Committee in Hearing Room 1 in the Cherberg Building.
HB 1727 – CHANGING DROPOUT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2002 – AUTHORIZING LIMITED CONTINUING FOSTER CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES UP TO AGE TWENTY-ONE
This bill appears DEAD.
SHB 2061 – REQUIRING DISPOSITION TO BE HELD IN JUVENILE COURT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN A CASE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO ADULT COURT
This bill extends Juvenile Court Jurisdiction to include the cases of juveniles found not guilty in adult criminal court, or if convicted in adult court of a lesser crime, and it gives the Juvenile Court exclusive jurisdiction over the case.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House 96-0. It is now in the Senate Human Service & Corrections Committee.
HB 2064 – CLARIFYING PROVISIONS RELATING TO AUTOMATIC TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION FROM JUVENILE COURT
This bill is a technical clarification related to the date of the offence.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House 96-0. It is now in the Senate Human Service & Corrections Committee.
SHB 2073 – REVISING JUVENILE SENTENCING
This bill declares that a juvenile is ineligible for a mental health disposition when adjudicated of several serious Class A felonies - including those that include use of deadly weapons.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House, 96-0. It is now in the Senate Human Service & Corrections Committee.
HB 2090 – ESTABLISHING STERILIZATION AND AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR BODY PIERCING AND BODY
This bill would establish requirements for age and sterilization, for body piercing and body art.
In Week Nine, this bill is now on the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
HB 2139 – REQUIRING PARENTAL CONSENT FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SEX EDUCATION.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2153 – REVISING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO AT-RISK YOUTH PROCEEDINGS
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2178 - REGARDING VIOLENT VIDEO AND COMPUTER GAMES.
This bill permits a person to bring a personal injury or wrongful death claim against a manufacturer or retailer of violent video or computer games if the manufacturer or retailer has distributed, sold, or rented a violent video or computer game to a person under the age of 17 and the game was a factor in the injury or death of another person.
It is now in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5116 – SKATE PARKS
This bill would require the wearing of helmets in skate parks.
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5254 - CREATING THE LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
This bill creates a Legislative Youth Advisory Council to examine issues of importance to youth, including education, employment, strategies to increase youth participation in state and municipal government, safe environments for youth, substance abuse, emotional and physical health, foster care, poverty, homelessness, and youth access to services on a statewide and municipal basis. The council shall advise on youth issues from budget expenditures to policy matters. It will hold meetings and seminars and report annually to the legislature on its activities.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the Senate, 41-7. On Friday 3/18 at 8:00 am, this bill will get both a Public Hearing and an Executive Session in the House Committee on State Government & Accountability. House Hearing Room D, in the O’Brien Building.
SSB 5257- REVISING PROVISIONS RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH TEATMENT FOR MINORS
When a parent brings his or her minor child to an evaluation and treatment facility to determine whether the child has a mental disorder and is in need of treatment, the treatment provider may not refuse to treat the minor based solely on the minor's lack of consent. A minor who is admitted to treatment under the parent-initiated treatment provisions may not sue the facility or treatment provider based solely on the minor's lack of consent.
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SSB 5288 - SPECIFYING HOW CUSTODIAL INTERROGATIONS OF JUVENILES MAY BE CONDUCTED
This bill requires that when a law enforcement officer takes a juvenile into custody, the officer must immediately make attempts to notify a parent, guardian, or custodian that the juvenile is in custody, where the juvenile is being held, and of his or her right to consult with the juvenile. No statement, admission, or confession (written or oral) of a juvenile under the age of 17 years given as the result of interrogation by law enforcement officials is admissible unless the parent, guardian, or custodian were present and all legal conditions were met. Provides that if a juvenile expresses fear or distress at the prospect of notifying the juvenile’s parent, guardian or custodian that leads an officer to believe there is a possibility of abuse or neglect, the juvenile may have another interested adult or an attorney present.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the Senate, 45-0. It is now in the House Juvenile Justice & Family Law Committee.
SSB 5460 - AUTHORIZING EDUCATORS TO REQUEST FAMILY RECONCILIATION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
This bill allows certificated school employees who believe a student may be an at-risk youth or Child In Need of Services (CHIN) may request that the Department of Social and Health Services provide family reconciliation services to the family.
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5478 - DEFINING ABSTINENCE EDUCATION AND COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION FOR K-12 STUDENTS
This bill appears DEAD.
SSB 5502 - REVISING JUVENILE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES
This bill declares that certain juvenile offenders fourteen years of age or older convicted of an A+ offense who attempted, conspired, or solicited others to commit a class A offence, or offences committed when armed with a deadly weapon, shall be ineligible for the mental health disposition option.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the Senate, 47-0. It is now in the House Juvenile Justice & Family Law Committee.
SB 5557 – REVISING PROVISIONS CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR MINORS
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5583 - REQUIRING TRAINING OF CHILDREN'S ADMINISTRATION EMPLOYEES CONCERNING OLDER CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
This bill requires the Department of Social and Health Services to develop a curriculum to train the staff of the Children’s Administration on how to screen and respond to referrals to child protective services when those referrals may involve victims of abuse and neglect ages 11-18.
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5738 – PROHIBITING ENGAGING IN BODY PIERCING ON PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN
This bill appears DEAD.
SB 5848 – CHANGING PROVISIONS RELATING TO MISSING AND RUNAWAY CHILDREN
This bill establishes that if a law enforcement officer receives a report, or has reasonable cause to believe; that a child is missing from the parent’s home without consent, the officer shall make a good faith effort to locate the child.
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, waiting to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 5913 – REGULATING TATTOOING AND BODY PIERCING
This bill would add tattooing and body piercing to the laws that regulate cosmetology and other esthetic practices.
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SSB 5995 – RECOGNIZING A PARENT’S PREFERENCE IN THE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN SHELTER CARE
This bill includes a parent’s preference in the process of placing a child in shelter care
This bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
SB 6024 - PROVIDING PROTECTIONS FOR JUVENILES IN THE CUSTODY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
This bill appears to be Dead.
MENTAL HEALTH
HB 1005/ SB 5753 – CREATING A CONSUMER OR ADVOCATE-RUN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM.
Both the House and Senate bills appear DEAD.
SHB 1058 – MENTAL HEALTH FOR MINORS
This bill authorizes an evaluation and treatment facility to admit for evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment any minor under thirteen years of age for whom application is made by the minor’s parent or guardian. The consent of the minor under the age of thirteen is not required. It also clarifies the parent role in placement of a minor and shortens timelines for decisions about the medical necessity of treatment. It adds limited liability protection to facilities and professionals who act in good faith in accordance with the law.
This bill is now in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.
HB 1082 – MENTAL HEALTH FOR MINORS
This bill is a technical clean-up of the numbering and ordering of current Regulations (Revised Code of Washington - RCW’s) pertaining to mental health for minors.
This bill is now in the Senate Human Services & Correction Committee.
HB 1154/ SB 5450 – MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
This bill would r equire that group health insurance plans provide the same amounts and terms of coverage for mental health services as they do for medical and surgical services. Exempt from this requirement are small businesses (i.e., those with fewer than 50 employees) – but insurers must offer optional mental health coverage to them. The bill would phase in 1/1/06 – 7/1/10.
In Week Nine, this bill was signed into law.
SHB 1290 – MODIFYING COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVISIONS.
This bill concerns funding for the Regional Support Networks.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House 84-10. It goes next to the Senate.
SB 5763 – ENACTING THE OMNIBUS TREATMENT OF MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS ACT OF 2005
This bill was just introduced in Week Four and immediately created excitement, simply because it includes so many issues that have been of concern to people in both the mental health and substance abuse communities.
Among its 913 (yes, 913!) provisions, it would: provide for assessments, to assure the right treatment and appropriate services in appropriate settings, and to better determine the actual need for services for co-occurring disorders; provide for a 2-year, 2-county pilot program (with statewide implementation to be dependent on results of a 2-year study of experience); establish chemical dependency intensive case management for high utilizing clients; expand chemical dependency treatment to 40% of identified need in 2006 and 60% in 2007 for both children and adults; expand the use of evidence-based and research-based practices and give providers the appropriate training; expand the competency restoration program at Western State Hospital – in part to speed up appropriate processing and relieve the overcrowding in local jails; expand mental health and drug courts and family therapeutic courts to reduce dependencies and criminal involvement; suspend (rather than terminate) Medicaid for those in jail or in state hospitals; create 2 new evaluation and treatment centers for short-term treatment of civilly committed clients … and much, much more. Counties would be permitted to levy a 1/10 th of 1% sales & use tax to provide for new or expanded mental health or chemical dependency treatment (not to be used to supplant existing resources). The bill is organized in nine parts covering six areas. The Senate Bill Report (available at the www.leg.wa.gov website, by typing in the bill number and then clicking on Senate Bill Report) provides a very useful summary.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the Senate, 37-12. It goes next to the House.
REVENUES/TAX POLICY
HB 1069 – REQUIRING PERFORMANCE AUDITS FOR TAX PREFERENCES
This bill recognizes that tax preferences are enacted to meet objectives in the public interest. However, some tax preferences may not be efficient or equitable tools for achieving public policy objectives. Given the changing nature of the economy and tax structures of other states, periodic performance audits of tax preferences are needed. The bill directs the Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences to develop a schedule for orderly review of tax preferences at least once every ten years.
This bill passed the House. It is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
SHB 1094 – ESTABLISHING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TAX INCENTIVES
This bill would require beneficiaries of tax incentives to file annual survey information about business activities, claimed tax incentives, employment, wages, and employee benefits.
In Week Nine, this bill was voted DO PASS in the House Finance Committee. It is now in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for the House Floor.
1096 – REQUIRING A TAX EXPENDITURE REPORT AS PART OF THE BIENNIAL BUDGET DOCUMENTS.
There are currently more than 400 tax exemptions available in Washington, including various tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, credits, deferrals, and preferential rates (also referred to as "tax preferences"). There is already a report every four years describing each exemption, its year of enactment, purpose, primary beneficiaries, and estimated fiscal impact. This bill requires a tax expenditures report as part of the Governor's biennial budget documents, listing all tax exemptions and categorizing each according to the program or function it supports. The Governor will then recommend whether each exemption should be allowed to terminate, continue, or continue with modification.
In Week Nine, this bill was passed by the House, 64-34. It is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
SHB 1299 – REPEALING OUTDATED AND UNUSED TAX PREFERENCES
This bill would update and simplify the tax laws by repealing those tax exemptions, deductions, credits and assorted preferences that are outdated, no longer providing relief, or otherwise useful.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House, 96-0. It is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
SSB 5183 – PROVIDING TAX RELIEF TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 1619/ SB 5604 – PROVIDING A TAX CREDIT FOR SYRUP SALES
Both the House and the Senate bills appear DEAD.
HB 1767 – AUTHORIZING ADDITONAL FUNDING FOR MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FACILITIES
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2034 – MODIFY THE IPACT OF STATEWIDE INITIATIVES ON LOCAL TAX AUTHORITY.
This bill appears DEAD.
HB 2075 – MODIFYING CIGARETTE TAXATION
This bill would increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes from $1.425 to $2.50 – the highest in the nation. The revenues generated would be deposited into the health services account (83%) and the youth tobacco prevention account (17%).
This bill appears DEAD. (It may reappear as part of the budget process.)
SB 5829 – AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL TAX ON CIGARETTES
This bill would increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes from $1.425 to $2.025, with the new revenues earmarked for basic health enrollment. It stems from data showing that every 10% increase in the retail price of cigarettes will reduce adult smoking by about 4% and reduce teen smoking by approximately 7%.
This bill appears DEAD. (It may reappear as part of the budget process.)
SB 5925 – AUTHORIZING A STUDY TO PROPOSE TAX INCENTIVES THAT WOULD PROMOTE INVESTMENT IN SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATORS.
This bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
NOTE: the budget deficit is now estimated to be $2.2 billion, or higher. In order to pass a balanced budget, the legislature has three choices. It can cut $2.2 billion from existing state activities and services. It can raise $2.2 billion in revenues to cover the shortfall (by sun-setting existing tax breaks or increasing fees or taxes). It can agree to some combination of the two. Since the legislature cannot cut K-12 funding or long-term obligations, is resistant to the idea of cutting higher education or prisons, and has other on-going obligations, a high proportion of any cuts typically come from health and human services.
RIGHTS/OPPORTUNITIES
HB 1080 – PROTECTING DEPENDENT PERSONS
This bill intends to improve protection of dependent persons by changing the crimes of criminal mistreatment, and, abandonment of a dependent person – by adding a new category of responsible persons. To the parent of a child, and a person with custody of a child or other dependent, this bill would add “a person who has assumed the responsibility to provide to a dependent person the basic necessities of life.” Like parents and other caretakers, they could be found guilty of the crime of “criminal mistreatment in the fourth degree.”
This bill remains on the House Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
HB 1358/ SB 5339 – RELATING TO RECIDIVISM REDUCTION THROUGH DISCHARGE OF CONVICTED FELONS.
This bill is an attempt to ease the transition back to productive life in the community, and help restore the civil rights of the 90% of former felons who return to the community. It would permit a certificate of discharge for offenders who complete all terms of his/her sentence and need a repayment plan to complete the paying of legal financial obligations. The offender remains liable for the payment of the legal financial obligations.
The House bill is now in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
The Senate bill is now on the Senate Floor. It may be voted on at any time.
SHB 1426/ SSB 5407 – ESTABLISHING AN INTERAGENCY PLAN FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS.
This bill intends better support for children whose parents are incarcerated by encouraging the state agencies involved with their families to coordinate and expand existing services for these families. The Departments of Corrections and Social and Health Services are directed to establish an oversight committee to develop a comprehensive interagency plan for necessary services and supports for these children.
The House bill is now in the Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
On Thursday, 3/17 at 1:30 pm, the Senate bill will get a Public Hearing in the House Committee on Children & Family Services. House Hearing Room D, O’Brien Building. Also on TVW.
HB 1495/ SB 5655 – REQUIRING THAT WASHINGTON’S TRIBAL HISTORY BE TAUGHT IN THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
This bill would require that by 1/1/15 (earlier if a school district is adopting its social studies curriculum), a school district must include in its history and social studies curricula for each grade in which the district offers instruction on Washington state and United States history, the tribally and district-approved history and culture of a federally recognized Indian tribe whose reservation sits within the boundaries of the school district, or is within a one hundred mile radius of the school district. It also requires that the teachers must have completed appropriate certification or been approved by the tribe whose curriculum is being taught.
In Week Nine, the House bill passed the House, 78-18. It is now in the Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
HB 1515/ SB 6019 – EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
Known as the Anderson-Murray Anti-Discrimination bill, this bill would add sexual orientation to the purview of the Human Rights Commission. Similar bills have been introduced for 28 yrs.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
The House bill is now in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection.
2SHB 1542/ SB 5531 – PROVIDING INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES
This bill changes existing law in one important respect: where current law reads that effective legal representation “should” be provided for indigent persons, the revised law would say that legal representation “must” be provided -- consistent with the constitutional requirements of fairness, equal protection, and due process in all cases where the right to counsel attaches.
In Week Nine, the House bill was amended again and passed the House, 95-0. It goes next to the Senate.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
HB 1586/ SSB 5575 – PERMITTING A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TO MAINTAIN A DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION BY CONSIDERING RACE, COLOR, ETHNICITY, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN IN THE ADMISSION AND TRANSFER PROCESS W/OUT USING QUOTAS, PREDETERMINED POINTS, OR SET ASIDES.
This bill intends to give universities and colleges some flexibility in considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin as positive factors in admission and transfer policies, and to promote diversity by enrolling meaningful numbers of students from groups that would not otherwise be represented. As is clear from the long, detailed title of the bill, the bill’s sponsors want to make clear they do not intend this as a green light for any form of quota or set aside system based solely on racial status. It would effectively amend I-200 to reflect a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision, and more recent data. The Senate bill was amended to include a referendum to the people – to appear on the ballot.
The House bill appears DEAD.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1659/ SB 5938 – CREATING THE JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
This bill stems from research showing that low-income and minority students encounter fewer opportunities to learn, inadequate instruction and support, and lower expectations from their schools and teachers, and that schools are not sufficiently inclusive of all cultures represented in the state's public schools. To close the achievement gap will require a comprehensive approach including: learning environments intolerant of racism and exclusion; curricula and teaching practices that recognize differences in ethnicity, language, and culture; and teacher training and professional development programs. The bill would create a Joint Select Committee on Equitable Opportunity For All, required to report its findings and recommendations, including a timeline, by September 1, 2006,
The House bill remains in the House Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
The Senate bill appears DEAD.
SHB 1733/ SSB 5802 – REQUIRING PAY EQUITY FOR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE PART-TIME FACULTY.
This bill reflects the fact that community and technical colleges enroll over 60% of post-secondary students across the state, and that part-time and adjunct faculty teach nearly half of the instructional workload. In 1996, the legislature directed the state board for community and technical colleges to conduct a “best practices” audit on compensation practices and working conditions for part-time faculty, and develop a ten-year plan to improve the salaries, benefits, working conditions, and ratios of part-time to full-time faculty. With the 10-year anniversary looming, this bill would revisit the issues involved. Sometimes referred to as the migrant workers of academia, these part-time faculty have long gotten lesser compensation. This bill recognizes that – and attempts to remedy some of it.
The House bill appears DEAD.
The Senate bill remains in the Senate Rules Committee, to be scheduled for Floor Action.
HB 1876 – EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS OF PERSONS UNDER GUARDIANSHIP.
This bill treats the right to vote as a fundamental liberty and not to be confiscated without due process, including when the individual is under guardianship. Under this bill an incapacitated person under limited or full guardianship will not lose the right to vote unless a court specifically determines the person to be incapable of rationally exercising that right and unable to make an individual choice.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the House, 96-0.
On Thursday, 3/17 at 8:00 am, it will get a Public Hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations. Senate Hearing Room 2, Cherberg Building.
SB 5087- PROVIDING FOR A REVIEW AND UPDATE OF THE BEST PRACTICES AUDIT OF COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYMENT FOR PART-TIME FACULTY IN TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
In Week Nine, this bill passed the Senate, 35-10. It is now in the House Higher Education Committee.
SHB 2137/ SB 5993 – PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CRIME VICTIMS’ COMPENSATION
This bill would provide an appropriation of $3,627,000 to the Department of Labor for costs incurred by the Crime Victims fund.
In Week Nine, the House bill passed the House, 98-0. It is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
In Week Nine, the Senate bill passed the Senate 47-0. It is now in the House Appropriations Committee.
SB 5127 – I MPROVING SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
This bill would improve the coordination of services by various state agencies, in order to develop protocols for improved services to victims. This bill is prompted by the fact that battered immigrants are sometimes brought into this country by abusive spou