SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6110

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, JANUARY 28, 1994

Brief Description:  Providing a family health history for children upon the dissolution of a marriage.

SPONSORS: Senators Spanel, A. Smith, Hargrove and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6110 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Ludwig, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, Nelson, Niemi, Quigley, Roach, Schow and Spanel.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Hearing Dates: January 25, 1994; January 28, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In a dissolution action, a legal separation proceeding, or a proceeding to obtain a declaration of invalidity, the court is not required to instruct the parents to provide a family medical history.  The same is true in an action to determine the existence of a parent and child relationship.

Knowledge of a child's medical history can facilitate the provision of health care for the child as well as influence preventative care.  There is concern that sometimes this is overlooked by the court or the parties.

SUMMARY:

A court that is entering a decree of dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity must require that each parent provide a family medical history so that proper health care can be provided to the child or children involved.  A party may seek to modify a decree at any time to require a parent to provide a family medical history.  In a legal action to determine the existence of a parent and child relationship, the court must require the father to provide information on his family medical history for the purpose of facilitating the health care of the child.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

In a legal action to determine the existence of a parent and child relationship, the court must require each parent to provide a family medical history for the purpose of facilitating the health care of the child.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:   requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Families need this medical information.  This bill will help in situations where one parent refuses to provide medical history.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Michele Delo, WA Families for Noncustodial Rights; C. Malec