HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1183
BYRepresentatives 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; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.
House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES FEBRUARY 15, 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:
SUBSTITUTE BILL: 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.
SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL: Medical histories will be provided only if available. Any licensed medical practitioner may provide the physical examination. Reports on childhood events and traumas will not be provided separately from those incidents that appear in other reports. Court reports relating to dependency and custody actions are included in the reports to be provided to prospective adoptive parents. A signed copy of the written information regarding departmental adoption services is not required to be included in the case file.
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.