SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2602

BYRepresentatives Hine, Moyer, Rayburn, Belcher, Scott, Brooks, Heavey, Nutley, Sayan, Fraser, Miller, Dorn, Rasmussen, Hargrove, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Rector, Leonard, Wineberry, Brough, Sprenkle, Cole, Jones, Dellwo, Haugen, Day, Ebersole, Anderson, Peery, P. King, Basich, Valle, Wang, Phillips, Winsley, Kremen, Padden, Smith, Forner, Tate, Vekich, Wood, Wolfe, D. Sommers, R. King, Van Luven, Brekke, Bowman, Morris, Cooper, H. Myers, Walker, Todd and Spanel.

Changing provisions relating to support services for adoptions.

House Committe on Human Services

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 15, 1990; February 21, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Smith, Chairman; Bailey, Stratton, Vognild.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 22, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 26, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Niemi, Saling, Smith, Warnke, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Karen Hayes (786-7711)

                  February 27, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS,  FEBRUARY 26, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In Washington State each year, under 5 percent of pregnant teenagers relinquish their babies for adoption.  Agencies which offer pregnancy information and counseling often do not have a full understanding of adoption.

Birth parents frequently are unaware of their ability to be actively involved in the process of choosing adoptive parents or to maintain some connection with their child or their child's adoptive parents, through exchange of information, communication or contact.

Indigent pregnant women are eligible for a state-funded program providing income assistance benefits.  If an indigent women decides to parent her child, she receives Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits when the baby is born.  If she decides to relinquish her baby for adoption, her income assistance benefits are terminated the month of the baby's birth.

Special needs children face many barriers to being adopted.

SUMMARY:

An indigent woman receiving general assistance, who relinquishes her baby for adoption, will continue to receive income assistance benefits for six weeks following the birth of her child.

Agreements allowing communication between adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents are authorized.  Failure to comply with an agreed order regarding communication or contact is not grounds for setting aside an adoption.  No modification of an agreed order is to be made unless the court finds it to be in the best interest of the child and the adoptive and birth parents agree to the modification.

Funding is appropriated to provide adoption training for agencies offering pregnancy information and counseling, to provide enhanced adoption services for special needs children, and to provide extended general assistance benefits.

Appropriation:    $385,000 general fund-state is appropriated to the Department of Social and Health Services.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES AMENDMENTS:

The recruitment money provided in this bill is clarified to be merged, and not in addition to the recruitment money in 2SSB 6537.

Language providing for the Adoption Support Reconsideration Program is added.

Modification required by federal law to allow for reimbursement for non-recurring expenses for persons adopting special needs children is added.

All language referring to adoption agreements is removed.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE WAYS & MEANS AMENDMENT:

The appropriation section is removed and the act is made contingent upon funding in the budget.  The emergency clause is restricted to the intent and definition sections amended by this act.

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  Representative Hine, prime sponsor; Lorena Hamilton; Margaret Casey, Washington State Catholic Conference; Janice Nielsen, WACAP; Mark Demaray; Dini Duclos, Medina Children's Services and Private Agency Coalition

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society (pro); Margaret Casey, Washington State Catholic Conference (pro)