WA People
BILL · 2007–08 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5839

SB 5839: Reports of child abuse

Revising provisions relating to false reporting of child abuse or neglect.

Summary

  • Removes malice as an element of the gross misdemeanor crime of false reporting of alleged child abuse or neglect.
  • Requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to prepare a statement for inclusion in materials relating to reporting of child abuse and neglect warning against false reporting of alleged child abuse or neglect.
  • Directs the DSHS to send a certified letter to any person determined by Child Protective Services to have made a false report of alleged child abuse or neglect warning that a second false report will be referred to law enforcement.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5839), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 118, Laws of 2007
  1. IntroducedFeb 2, 2007
  2. Out of committeeFeb 23, 2007
  3. Passed SenateMar 12, 2007
  4. Passed HouseApr 4, 2007
  5. GovernorApr 18, 2007
  6. LawApr 18, 2007
Prime sponsor
Don Benton (R-17)
Introduced
February 2, 2007 in the Senate
Last action
April 18, 2007
Session law
Chapter 118, Laws of 2007
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5839, SSB 5839

AN ACT Relating to nonmandatory reports of child abuse or neglect;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Don Benton (R-17)

2 co-sponsors (1 Democrat, 1 Republican)

Val Stevens R-39Jim Hargrove D-24

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 12, 2007
Version voted on: SSB 5839
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat32000
Republican17000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage

Passed April 4, 2007
Version voted on: SSB 5839
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat61002
Republican35000
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/22/2007. (SSB 5839)
  2. Chapter 118, 2007 Laws. (SSB 5839)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5839)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5839)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5839)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5839)
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SSB 5839)
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5839)
  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5839)
  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5839)
  11. ELCS - Majority; do pass. (SSB 5839)
  12. ELCS - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5839)
  13. First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. (SSB 5839)
  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5839)
  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5839)
  16. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5839)
  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  18. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5839)
  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  20. Made eligible to be placed on second reading. (SSB 5839)
  21. Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
  22. HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5839)
  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5839)
  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  25. HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  26. First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections.

SB 5839 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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