HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1183
As Amended by the Senate
BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Kremen, Bristow, Patrick, Scott, Holland, Leonard, Braddock, Brekke, Zellinsky, Phillips, Spanel, Silver and Wineberry)
Requiring that certain information be provided to adopting parents.
House Committe on Human Services
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (10)
Signed by Representatives Bristow, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter, Tate and Winsley.
House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)
AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 14, 1989
BACKGROUND:
Persons and agencies caring for minor children or placing them for adoption are required to provide reasonably available medical reports containing information on any handicaps the child may have to the prospective adoptive parent(s). They are required to make available such reports to parents who have already adopted a child. The reports shall include any reasonably available medical history of the natural parents which is necessary for the health care of the child.
No current medical evaluation of the child is required. No family background or social history including psychiatric reports is required to be provided.
The Department of Social and Health Services administers the Adoption Assistance program for adoptive parents with special needs children. Adoption Assistance is only available if applied for prior to adoption of the child.
SUMMARY:
Persons and agencies caring for minor children or placing them for adoption are encouraged to provide all available medical reports to the prospective parent and have available all available reports to parents who have already adopted.
The medical report shall include a comprehensive medical evaluation of the child which includes the natural family's and the child's medical history if available, a physical examination of the child by a licensed medical practitioner, and referrals to specialists as needed. The prospective adoptive parent shall contribute to the cost of the medical examination.
Persons and agencies caring for minor children or placing them for adoption shall provide a complete family background and child and family social history report to prospective adoptive parent(s). They shall make available such reports to those who have already adopted.
The Department of Social and Health Services is required to provide written information on the Department's adoption-related services.
EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS: Available mental and physical health records of the natural parents shall be provided to the adoptive parents to facilitate the developmental potential of the child. The department has only to provide records which include previous medical history, a physical examination, referrals to specialists and written medical reports when available. The adoptive parents are not required to participate in the cost of the medical examination.
Fiscal Note: Available.
House Committee ‑ Testified For: Ralph Munro, Secretary of State; Representative Pete Kremen and Katharine Briar, neutral.
House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.
House Committee - Testimony For: Prospective adoptive parents have a right and a need to know as much information as is available on the child they intend to adopt. Especially important, are medical records including a medical examination, and social and family histories. Written information regarding adoption-related services that the Department provides should be given to prospective adoptive parents in order for them to be fully informed as to what services are available in assisting them in raising an adoptive child. Some instances have been reported where complete information that was available on a child was not given to the adoptive parents resulting in increased financial responsibility and physical and emotional trauma.
House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.
VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:
Yeas 98