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'Sirita's Law' passes Senate
When House Bill 2156
passed the House of Representatives in March, the bill’s language would
have limited the rights of habitually abusive parents and expanded
foster parents’ rights. But that language is gone and the bill, passed
by the Senate unanimously yesterday, is now amended to create a task
force that will report back to the Legislature on the health, safety and
welfare of children receiving services from child protective services
and child welfare services.
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, the bill’s sponsor, expressed his disappointment
that Substitute House Bill 2156 had become a study, but also stated his
belief that the study’s results will show the need next year for a bill
limiting abusive parents’ rights.
“Kids in our communities are dying at the hands of abusive parents, yet
we’re returning them to those abusive homes again and again,” Hinkle,
R-Cle Elum, said. “Still, some lawmakers were hesitant to limit parental
rights without having the results of a comprehensive study in front of
them. I understand that, and I am confident that this study – which the
Legislature will have before we meet again for the 2006 session – will
give us the backing we need to pass the bill in its original form. I am
also pleased that we have a strong commitment from the Senate that it
remains committed to working on this issue in a bipartisan manner. I am
confident we are on our way toward enacting meaningful changes that will
protect kids in our state.”
The original bill was named for Sirita Sotelo, who died before her fifth
birthday, beaten to death at the home of her father and stepmother.
Sirita’s stepmother recently pleaded guilty to her death. Raphael Gomez,
a toddler from Hinkle’s 13th legislative district, also died in 2003
from a blunt force trauma after being returned four times to his
parents.
The task force created under SHB 2156 would include legislators, members
from the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and
Neglect, DSHS staff, public defenders, judges, social workers, foster
parents, birth parents and others involved in the child welfare system.
The issues the group would study include: state and federal law on child
placement and termination of parental rights; existing DSHS work groups
and plans, when and how children are removed from homes and reunited
with parents, what transition services are available for families, how
case workers and supervisors share information, and best practices
regarding child protection. The task force’s preliminary findings would
be due to the Legislature by Dec. 31, 2005.
“The bottom line is this: we are accountable to the children of this
state for their safety and welfare,” Hinkle explained. “This study will
give us the information we need to come back next year and limit the
rights of parents who habitually abuse their kids. This is a step in the
right direction, and I welcome it.”
Substitute House Bill 2156 now comes back to the House of
Representatives for concurrence with the Senate’s changes.
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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