SENATE BILL REPORT
SB
5032
As Passed Senate, February 8, 1995
Title: An act relating to adoption support.
Brief Description: Modifying adoption support provisions.
Sponsors: Senators Hargrove and Fraser; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/12/95, 1/25/95 [DP].
Passed Senate, 2/8/95, 48-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES &
CORRECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Fairley, Kohl, Long, Moyer, Palmer, Prentice, Schow and Strannigan.
Staff: Richard Rodger (786-7461)
Background: The adoption support program is administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to encourage the adoption of hard-to-place children. The program can provide reimbursement for medical/counseling expenses, nonrecurring adoption expenses, or make continuing or lump sum payments.
Currently, the Secretary of DSHS is required to conduct, at least, annual reviews of the financial needs of all adoptive parents who receive adoption support payments. Additionally, the parents must file a copy of their federal income tax returns with DSHS within two weeks of the U.S. filing. The department is requesting greater flexibility in the statute to conserve resources and lessen the burden of the reporting requirements on the adoptive families.
Summary of Bill: The department must conduct periodic reviews of the financial needs of adoption support program recipients. Recipients are required to file their tax returns with the department upon request.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill will reduce the administrative burden on recipients of the adoption support program. It will also allow the department to use the program resources more efficiently.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Dick Anderson, Office Chief DSHS/DCFS (pro).