SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5477

              As Passed Senate, February 2, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the production of family medical history.

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

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Spanel, Smith, Haugen, Winsley and Franklin).

Sponsors:  Senators Spanel, Smith, Haugen, Winsley and Franklin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  1/31/95, 2/28/95 [DPS]; 1/15/96, 1/17/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/13/95, 41-7; 2/2/96, 39-9.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Goings, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Roach and Schow.

Staff:  Cynthia Runger (786-7717)

Background:  In a dissolution of marriage action, legal separation proceeding, proceeding to obtain a declaration of invalidity, or paternity action, the court is not required to instruct the parents to provide a family medical history.

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

Summary of Bill:  In a dissolution of marriage action, legal separation proceeding, proceeding to obtain a declaration of invalidity, or paternity action, the court must require each parent to produce a family medical history so that proper health care can be provided to the child.  Additionally, a party may seek to modify a decree at any time to require a parent to provide a family medical history.

The information in the medical report must be kept sealed and confidential.  The records may only be open to inspection by the parent or guardian of the minor, the child after he or she reaches age 18, or the child after he or she is emancipated after there has been a request and show cause hearing.  The information in the records may only be used for the purpose of facilitating proper health care to the child.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Knowledge of a child's family medical history may serve useful to the child, especially if he or she becomes ill or a parent passes away.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jamaica Felgo, WASH Families (pro).