1860-S AMS HSC S2816.1

SHB 1860 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Human Services & Corrections

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that all individuals and organizations involved in placing children for adoption, including the department of social and health services, have a legal and moral obligation to provide information required to be gathered through the provisions of chapter 26.33 RCW to prospective adoptive parents before the physical placement of children for adoption.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 26.33.350 and 1994 c 170 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Every person, firm, society, association, corporation, or state agency receiving, securing a home for, or otherwise caring for a minor child shall transmit to the prospective adopting parent prior to placement and shall make available to all persons with whom a child has been placed by adoption a complete medical report containing all known and available information concerning the mental, physical, and sensory handicaps of the child.  For the purposes of this section, a person becomes a "prospective adopting parent" by no later than when the parental rights of the birth parents of the particular child the person is interested in adopting have been terminated and all individuals and entities that have submitted preplacement reports agree the person is fit to become an adoptive parent.

    (2) The report shall not reveal the identity of the birth parent of the child except as authorized under this chapter but shall include any known or available mental or physical health history of the birth parent that needs to be known by the adoptive parent to facilitate proper health care for the child or that will assist the adoptive parent in maximizing the developmental potential of the child.

    (3) Where known or available, the information provided shall include:

    (a) A review of the birth family's and the child's previous medical history, including the child's x-rays, examinations, hospitalizations, and immunizations.  After July 1, 1992, medical histories shall be given on a standardized reporting form developed by the department;

    (b) A physical exam of the child by a licensed physician with appropriate laboratory tests and x-rays;

    (c) A referral to a specialist if indicated; and

    (d) A written copy of the evaluation with recommendations to the adoptive family receiving the report.

    (4) Entities and persons obligated to provide information under this section shall make reasonable efforts to locate records and information concerning the child's mental, physical, and sensory handicaps.  The entities or persons providing the information have no duty, beyond providing the information, to explain or interpret the records or information regarding the child's present or future health.

(5) Every person, firm, society, association, corporation, or state agency receiving, securing a home for, or otherwise caring for a minor child who transmits the information required under this section to the prospective adopting parent shall provide to the prospective adopting parent a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that they have provided a complete medical report containing all known and available information concerning the mental, physical, and sensory handicaps of the child."

SHB 1860 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Human Services & Corrections

    On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "adoption;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 26.33.350; and creating a new section."

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