Drafter
Clerk 01/16/2008
Title
AN ORDINANCE related to domestic violence shelters; and amending Ordinance 10870, Section 84, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.06.220 and Ordinance 10870, Section 330, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.08.030.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. Domestic violence is an unfortunate reality for many members of our society.
B. Residential shelters provide an escape from domestic violence and assist residents in recovering from the impacts of that abuse.
C. Victims of domestic violence are not limited to single individuals, but may often include entire families.
D. Families that have been traumatized by their exposure to domestic violence may be further traumatized if the children of such families are separated from their parent.
E Permitting families to stay together allows for more effective recovery from the trauma of domestic violence.
F Due to the unstable nature of those persons prone to committing domestic violence, such shelters need a high degree of confidentiality as to location.
G This confidentiality protects shelter residents, staff, neighbors and the community at large.
H Requiring shelters to obtain a conditional use permit through a widely publicized public review process undermines confidentiality and increases the risk of contact with those who would commit domestic violence.
SECTION 2. Ordinance 10870, Section 84, as amended, and K.C.C. 21A.06.220 are each hereby amended to read as follows:
Community residential facility ("CRF"): living quarters meeting applicable federal and state standards that function as a single housekeeping unit and provide supportive services, including but not limited to counseling, rehabilitation and medical supervision, excluding drug and alcohol detoxification which is classified in ((Section)) K.C.C. 21A.08.050 as health services, and excluding a secure community transition facility as defined in R.C.W. 71.09.020 and in th...
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