Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

Children & Family Services Committee

     BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2606

Title:  An act relating to foster parents.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting certain persons with criminal backgrounds from becoming foster parents.

Sponsors:  Representatives O'Brien, Radcliff, Ballasiotes, Benson, Lambert, Cooke, Keiser, Lantz, Hatfield, Delvin, DeBolt, D. Sommers, Sheahan, Mulliken, Hankins, Fisher, Backlund, Mitchell, B. Thomas, Thompson, McCune and Kessler.

Meeting Date:  January 29, 1998.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:David Knutson  (786-7146)

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services is required to determine the character, suitability, and competence of individuals applying to become foster parents.  The Department does this through a background check with the Washington State Patrol for a conviction record or pending charges.  It also reviews disciplinary board actions and dependency record information.  The specific convictions covered by the State Parol background check include: aggravated murder, first or second degree murder, first, second, or third degree assault; first, second, or third degree assault of a child, first, second, or third degree rape; first, second, or third degree rape of a child; first or second degree robbery; first degree arson; first degree burglary; first or second degree manslaughter; first or second degree extortion; indecent liberties; incest; vehicular homicide; first degree promoting prostitution; communication with a minor; unlawful imprisonment; simple assault; sexual exploitation of minors; first or second degree criminal mistreatment; child abuse or neglect; first or second degree custodial interference; malicious harassment; first, second, or third degree child molestation; first or second degree sexual misconduct with a minor; first or second degree rape of a child; patronizing a juvenile prostitute; child abandonment; promoting pornography; selling or distributing erotic material to a minor; custodial assault; violation of a child abuse restraining order; child buying or selling; prostitution; felony indecent exposure; criminal abandonment; first, second, or third degree extortion; first, second, or third degree theft; first, second, or third degree robbery; or forgery.

Summary of Bill:    A person is ineligible to become a foster parent if they have been convicted of a felony within the past ten years or five or more misdemeanors within the three years prior to applying for a foster care license.  A person is permanently ineligible from receiving a foster care license if they are convicted of a sex offense, an offense involving a controlled substance, or an offense involving violent behavior toward a child or vulnerable adult.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note:  None requested.

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

Committee Members:

Rep. Suzette Cooke, ChairRep. Mike Carrell

Rep. Marc Boldt, Vice Chair                        Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson

Rep. Roger Bush, Vice Chair                        Rep. Jeff Gombosky     

Rep. Kip Tokuda*                             Rep. Joyce McDonald

Rep. Jim Kastama**                           Rep. Cathy Wolfe

Rep. Ida Ballasiotes