SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1858

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Sprenkle, Ferguson, Brekke, P. King, Winsley, Leonard, Sutherland, Locke and Anderson)

Requiring consideration of minority race or minority ethnic heritage in adoptions and foster care placements.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1988; February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Kiskaddon, Chairman; Bailey, Vice Chairman; Craswell, Fleming, Garrett, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Jean Soliz (786-7755)

                  February 26, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Minority children comprise about 29 percent of all children who are placed in out-of-home care.  This rate is three times the prevalence of minorities in the general population.  The Department of Social and Health Services reports a growing shortage of culturally appropriate foster care and adoptive families for minority children.

The department's current recordkeeping methods do not contain data necessary to determine information regarding the appropriateness of services to minority children and to report to the federal government for funding purposes.

SUMMARY:

A state policy is declared to serve the interests of children by considering a child's race and ethnic heritage in making foster care and adoptive placements.  The requirement to consider the parental preferences does not apply to private placements between consenting families.

The child may be placed outside of the preference when good cause exists.  When a family of a different racial or ethnic heritage is chosen, the child-placing agency shall consider the family's willingness and capability to educate and expose the child to his or her racial, ethnic and cultural heritage.

The statutes related to adoption, foster care placements and families in conflict are modified to require child-placing agencies to give preference to a child's race or ethnic heritage in making placements.  A religious preference may also be chosen.  The custodial parent may choose the racial, ethnic or religious preference for a child, except that children over age 13 may choose their own preference.

Child-placing agencies are required to use special efforts to recruit placement homes from among the child's relatives or among families of the same ethnic, racial or religious heritage of the child.

The department is required to monitor compliance with the preferences in placement and family recruitment activities.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

After 90 days the department may place a child with a family of another racial, cultural or religious background if a suitable family within the preference has not been found.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Jon Leveque, Alliance for Children, Youth & Families (for); Joyce Hopson, DSHS (for); Shirley A. Caldwell, Odessa Brown Children's Clinic (for); Charles Tower, Jr., foster parent (against); Harold Belmont, Native People's Alliance (for); Charlene Ramirez, DSHS (for); Sasha Soboleff, ASK (against); Scott Neilson, North American Council on Adoptable Children (against); Margaret Casey, WSCC (for); Sandy Burnes (against); Kim Brenner, adoptee (against); Janice Neilson, Executive Director, Adoption Services of WACAD (against); Jonita Johnson, Northwest Adopt. Exchange, Good News for Black Children (for); Jill Jasper, Director, Northwest Adoption Exchange (for); James Kelly (for); Bill Beckham, ASK (against)