SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6492

BYSenators Smith, Conner, Stratton and Bailey

Establishing the adoption support reconsideration program.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 30, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6492 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 1, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1990; February 6, 1990

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6492 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Niemi, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Karen Hayes (786-7711)

                  February 7, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 6, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Social and Health Services' Adoption Support Program provides financial assistance for persons qualified to adopt a hard to place child, but who are financially unable to provide the special services such a child requires.  This program serves children who qualify because they are in foster care and have a significant mental, physical or emotional condition which will need special medical or psychological attention at some time in their childhood.

Under current law, application for this financial assistance must be made prior to the finalization of the adoption.

During 1989, the Legislature heard testimony from persons who have experienced near bankruptcy trying to provide care and services for adopted children who, usually in adolescence, require extensive counseling or even out of home placement.  The families testified that they adopted knowing about the troubled background of their child, but were encouraged to believe that their love and assistance would allow the child to live a normal life.  These families are now finding that their child needs more help than they can afford and there is no adequate state financial assistance to the family.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to establish a reconsideration program to provide medical and counseling services for children who would have qualified prior to the child's adoption, but for whom application was not made at that time.

This reconsideration is restricted to children who resided in foster care prior to the adoptive placement; had a physical, mental or emotional condition that was documented prior to the adoption; and who now resides in Washington with adoptive parents who lack the financial means to care for the child's special needs.

The DSHS Office of Personal Health Services must approve any agreement for services.  The adoptive family's insurance must be utilized prior to this program and this program shall not obligate the state to pay for past medical expenses.  No more than $20,000 shall be payable for services to any one child.

DSHS is required to report to the 1991 Legislature regarding all reasonable applications for this program.  The report shall contain 1) a description of the types of applications received, both those that qualify and those that do not; and 2) the estimated cost for providing the services requested.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An appropriation of $150,000 is made from the general fund to DSHS for this program.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE;

The appropriation of $150,000 is removed and the bill is made contingent upon funding in the budget.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES:  Bill Quick, DSHS (neutral); Pat Weber, DSHS (neutral) PRO:  Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society, Adoption Resource Center; Margaret Casey, Washington State Catholic Conference; Celia Fritz, Adoption Center of WA; Mark Demaray; Carol Hepburn; Dave Richardson, WARM; Dini Duclos, Medina Children's Services

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Katherine Briar, DSHS (neutral)