BILL REQ. #:  S-4553.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to adoption; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature to convene a study panel 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. The study group shall invite the participation of the governor. The study panel shall create an advisory committee of invited representatives from federally recognized Indian tribes, the Washington state bar association, the judiciary, adoption agencies and child-placing agencies including state, nonprofit, and those agencies providing services for domestic or international adoptions, adoptive parents, and adoptees to participate in the study panel. The study panel shall solicit comments from the community, study, and report findings and recommendations 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; assisted reproductive technology; discrimination in adoption based upon ability to pay, race, color, or national origin of child or parent; background checks; and agency licensing and credentialing. The study panel shall report its findings to the legislature by January 1, 2005.