OLYMPIA – As legislators finish up the final weeks of the 2011 session, much of the action moves to the Governor’s office where bills are signed into law. Of the eleven bills proposed by State Rep. Mary Helen Roberts (D-Edmonds), nine made their way to the Governor’s desk for final approval. Many of Roberts’ bills address the two key priorities she is known for in Olympia – improving care for foster youth and reducing recidivism rates in the criminal justice system.
Supporting and caring for foster and at-risk children
Three of Roberts’ bills provide additional support and safeguards for the more than 10,000 children in the state’s foster care system and other at-risk children.
“There are more than 10,000 children in foster care who depend on us to care for them and thousands more youth who, for any number of reasons, don’t feel safe in their homes and turn to us for help,” says Roberts. “These may seem like small changes to us, but they could have life-changing – or even life-saving – impacts on a child.”
- HB 1128 allows the state to leverage federal funding to provide safe housing for any foster child enrolled in a post-secondary or vocational training program until they turn 21. Research from the Washington State Institute of Public Policy (WSIPP) shows that, without some sort of support past the age of 18, only 34 percent of foster youth graduate high school on time and are much more likely to become an early parent, homeless, incarcerated or dependent on public assistance. An estimated 140 foster youth age out of the system every year.
- HB 1697 allows the state Department of Social and Health Services to make unannounced visits to homes where foster children are living. Currently, most foster child caregivers are notified when the Department of Social and Health Services plans to visit to their home. Though most caregivers provide excellent care to the children, there are instances when the children are being neglected or mistreated and then threatened to remain silent.
- HB 1858, allows for more efficient use of crisis housing programs for homeless and in-crisis youth. The bill removes barriers that prevented co-location of facilities that provide similar types of housing and support services, expanding access for youth and providing more flexibility for service providers.
Focusing on rehabilitation, not incarceration
Roberts has long been an advocate of policies that focus on rehabilitation and treatment for offenders, especially those who suffer from mental health issues or developmental disabilities.
- HB 1862/SB 5423 seeks to improve the chances for a released offender to successfully re-enter the community by modifying requirements for their payment of certain financial obligations. A study from the University of Washington indicates such a move could help reduce recidivism rates.
- HB 1170 strengthens the partnership between mental health providers and law enforcement. The bill allows law enforcement officers who arrest someone appearing to suffer from mental illness to admit the person to a state-certified triage facility for short-term detention and evaluation. This ensures more appropriate care for the person while decreasing the burden on local jails.
- HB 1718 allows counties who operate mental health courts to take jurisdiction over non-violent offenders who are diagnosed with a developmental disability or traumatic brain injury. The bill is a recommendation from a work group that identified ways to reduce recidivism and improve treatment for offenders with certain mental and physical conditions.
“Protecting the public starts with reducing crime. Reducing crime starts with helping offenders be successful once they leave their jail cells,” says Roberts. “Sometimes this means medical treatment for someone with a traumatic brain injury, sometimes it means a new way of thinking about how we make a criminal pay for their crime. In all cases, the goal is to put people on the path to a productive and lawful way of life.”
Other Roberts’ bills passed into law include:
- HB 1147/SB 5065 which clarifies and strengthens animal cruelty laws.
- HB 1309 increases transparency and accountability in homeowners associations for covering the shared costs of maintaining the community. The bill requires homeowners associations to conduct reserve studies and establish reserve accounts that adequately fund identified maintenance activities and projects. This ensures more fair, equitable and responsible assessments for homeowners.
- HB 1756/SB 5625 streamlines the licensing process for the state’s 7,500 early learning providers and allows for more efficient use of resources at the state’s Department of Early Learning. Instead of needing to reapply for a license every three years, providers can maintain their license as long as they adhere to a set of annual requirements.