March 12, 2007

OLYMPIA…The Senate today voted unanimously to approve a bill by Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, which will help prevent false reports of child abuse. 

“The need for this bill was brought to me by a constituent and his family who had been the victims of a false report of child abuse,” Benton said. “As it turned out, the report wasted a lot of time and effort by Child Protective Services (CPS). In the end, what we found out is that there is no recourse whatsoever if a false report is made against you.” 

The measure, Substitute Senate Bill 5839, does three things:

• It removes the word “maliciously” from the false reporting statute, making it easier to hold people who make false reports accountable. A false report is misdemeanor.

• It requires CPS to include a clear statement that false reporting is a crime in any materials relating to the reporting of abuse or neglect.

• It requires CPS to send a certified letter to individuals determined to have made a false report warning that subsequent false reports will be referred to law enforcement for investigation. 

“I worked closely with CPS staff at the Department of Social and Health Services to address their concerns with the original version,” Benton said. “This substitute is an important bill that addresses a serious problem.” 

SSB 5839 is now before the House of Representatives for consideration. 

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Additional contact Penny Drost at (360) 786-7522
or penny.drost@leg.wa.gov