SENATE BILL REPORT

                  2SHB 1432

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Human Services & Corrections, April 1, 1997

Title:  An act relating to modification of the adoption support reconsideration program.

Brief Description:  Modifying the adoption support reconsideration program.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooke, Tokuda, Kastama and Dickerson; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  4/1/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Long, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Franklin, Hargrove, Kohl, Schow and Stevens.

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 meets 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.  Children in pre-adoption placements, which are state funded, are also eligible for the adoption reconsideration program.

The needs of the child no longer require review and approval by the office of personal health services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Only parents who adopt children out of foster care are eligible to receive services offered by the adoption reconsideration program.  This bill extends coverage to other needy families.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. Suzette Cooke, prime sponsor; Jennifer Strus, DSHS (pro); Donna Patrick, Developmental Disabilities Council (pro).