OLYMPIA – For many families, early intervention can mean the difference between success and the juvenile justice system. That is why Rep. Jesse Johnson, D-Federal Way, introduced HB 2873, which allows families and youth to request Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), a tool used by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to provide services for families or children who are struggling. The bill passed the House last month 94-3 and passed the Senate today with a unanimous vote.
“When families need help to de-escalate situations and provide tools to constructively handle difficult and sometimes traumatic situations, there’s no time to waste. Whether it be access to services like mental health and suicide prevention, substance use treatment, or training for parent conflict management, families need to be able to ask for and receive the assistance when they need it from local, culturally relevant, trauma-informed providers. That is the definition of equity. I am grateful to my colleagues for approving this bill and look forward to standing with the Governor when he signs it into law,” said Johnson.
HB 2873 is Johnson’s first bill to pass both chambers of the Legislature.