SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6731

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

        Human Services & Corrections, January 31, 1996

Title:  An act relating to adoption support reconsideration program.

Brief Description:  Revising the adoption support reconsideration program.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove and Long; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/31/96 [DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Kohl, Long, Moyer, Prentice, Schow, Smith and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services operates an adoption reconsideration program for adoptive parents who need assistance with expenses relating to medical or psychological problems of their adopted child.

A family may seek assistance in the payment of physician or provider services for a child who meet specified criteria.  To qualify for the assistance, the adopted child must:  (1) have been in state-funded foster care prior to the adoption; (2) have a physical, mental or emotional condition which existed and was documented prior to the adoption; and (3) reside in Washington State with an adoptive parent who cannot afford the expenses related to the child's special needs.

The medical needs of the child are reviewed and approved by the department's office of personal health services.  The department may pay up to $20,000 per child for medical services related to the child's special needs.

Summary of Bill:  The eligibility criteria for the adoption reconsideration program is expanded to allow for payment of expenses for children who are at high risk of physical, mental or emotional problems as a result of conditions exposed to prior to the adoption.  The needs of the child no longer require review and approval by the office of personal health services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 27, 1996.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will assist a few more families who have adopted children who were at high-risk of having physical or emotional problems.  This will allow for the payment of services for such conditions as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).  FAS is a condition that is difficult to diagnose at an early age.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dick Anderson, DSHS (pro).