SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5652

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, February 21, 2003

Title: An act relating to adoption-related advertising.

Brief Description: Tightening requirements for adoption-related advertising.

Sponsors: Senators Stevens and Hargrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 2/14/03, 2/21/03 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5652 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Tony Rugel (786-7754)

Background: Adoption advertising is currently restricted to entities that have been licensed by the state or have completed a preplacement report and been approved by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

A person or entity who does not act with good faith and allows television, radio or print advertising of children available for adoption or for adoption services is in violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Publishers of annual or semi-annual directories who allow advertising of children available for adoption or advertising for adoption services must attempt to verify that the party offering the advertising has been licensed or approved by DSHS and is in compliance with RCW 26.33.400.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The proposed substitute applies a more strict verification standard for publishers of annual and semi-annual directories rather than applying the stricter standard to all media who accept adoption advertising.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The value of protecting consumers who are using adoption services was stressed.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Mark Demaray, adoption attorney (pro); Roland Thompson, Allied Newspapers (pro w/concerns).