Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

Children & Family Services Committee

     BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2810

Title:  An act relating to disclosure of adoption information.

Brief Description:  Authorizing disclosure of an adopted person's original birth certificate upon request by the adopted person.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cooke, Boldt, Ballasiotes, Reams, Wensman, Smith, Kastama, Mitchell, D. Schmidt, McCune, Wolfe, Backlund and Tokuda.

Meeting Date:January 29, 1998.

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

Background:     Adoption records held by the Department of Social and Health Services, adoption agencies, and the courts are confidential.  Non-identifying information may be disclosed if an adoptive parent, adoptee, or the birth parent requests the information in writing.  An adoptee over the age of eighteen whose adoption was finalized after October 1, 1993 will receive an original birth certificate from the Department of Health unless the birth parent filed an affidavit of non-disclosure.

Summary of Bill:     Non-identifying information will be disclosed if an adoptive parent, adoptee, or the birth parent requests the information in writing.  An adoptee over the age of eighteen and adoptive parents of a minor requesting an original birth certificate will receive a copy from the Department of Health.

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