6457-S AMH CFS FORL 027

By Representative Kagi

SSB 6457 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Children & Family Services

   Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

   "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) It is the intent of the legislature to convene a study panel on issues relating to adoption composed of four members from the legislature: Two members of the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate, including one member of the majority party and one member of the minority party; and two members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, including one member from the majority party and one member from the minority party.

   (2) The study panel shall invite the participation of the governor. The study panel shall create an advisory committee to participate in the study panel of invited representatives from federally recognized Indian tribes, the Washington state bar association, the judiciary, and adoption agencies and child-placing agencies including state agencies, nonprofit agencies, and those agencies providing services for domestic or international adoptions; adoptive parents; and adoptees.

   (3) The study panel shall study and report findings and recommendations, as well as solicit comments from the community, regarding the current adoption statutes and policies related to the following issues: Adoption-related fees; barriers to adoption; child selling and buying; adoption facilitation, advertising, and marketing; discrimination in adoption based upon ability to pay, race, color, or national origin of child or parent; background checks; and agency licensing and credentialing.

   (4) The study panel shall report its findings to the legislature by January 1, 2005."

EFFECT:

   Eliminates "assisted reproductive technology" from the issues to be studied by the study panel.

   Makes various technical changes to the language in the bill to increase clarity.