SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1521

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Leonard, Moyer, Hargrove, Ferguson, Wineberry, Winsley, Anderson, P. King, Brekke, Cole, Raiter, Scott, Prentice and Spanel)

Considering minority and ethnic heritage factors in adoption and foster care placement.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1989; February 15, 1990

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Many experts in foster and adoptive placements believe that in order to reduce the trauma involved with out-of-home placement, children should be placed in homes with similar cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

The Department of Social and Health Services reports that minority children currently make up 32 percent of the children in foster care and relative placements, and that due to the crack cocaine epidemic there is a continual increase in the number of minority children requiring out-of-home placement.  The department is not able to give exact statistics regarding the number of minority homes currently available.

SUMMARY:

A state policy is declared to serve the best interests of children by considering a child's race, ethnic and cultural heritage, or parental preference in making adoptive placements and giving a high priority to those factors in foster care or alternative residential placement.  The custodial parent or the child, if thirteen or older, may designate the child's racial, ethnic and cultural heritage preference, unless there is compelling reason to use another preference.

Child-placing agencies are required to use special efforts to recruit placement homes from among the child's relatives or among families of the same ethnic and cultural or racial heritage of the child.  They must attempt to locate an appropriate home for 90 days before considering other placements.

When a family of a different racial or ethnic heritage is chosen, the child-placing agency shall consider the family's willingness and capability to educate and expose the child to his or her racial, ethnic and cultural heritage.

The duty to compile information on the requirements of this act is added to the list of duties the department has in providing child welfare service.

Intercountry adoptions are defined as those in which a child is adopted by order of a Washington court and with the authorization from another sovereign nation.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available