H-855                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1183

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Kremen, Bristow, Patrick, Scott, Holland, Leonard, Braddock, Brekke, Zellinsky, Phillips, Spanel, Silver and Wineberry

Read first time 1/18/89 and referred to Committee on Human Services.

AN ACT Relating to information provided to adopting parents; amending RCW 26.33.350; and adding new sections to chapter 26.33 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 37, chapter 155, Laws of 1984 and RCW 26.33.350 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every person, firm, society, association, or corporation receiving, securing a home for, or otherwise caring for a minor child shall transmit to the prospective adopting parent prior to placement and shall make available to all persons with whom a child has been placed by adoption a complete medical report containing all ((reasonably)) available information concerning the mental, physical, and sensory handicaps of the child.  The report shall not reveal the identity of the natural parents of the child but shall include any ((reasonably)) available mental or physical health history of the natural parents that needs to be known by the adoptive parents to facilitate proper health care for the child.

(2) The medical report shall include the results of a comprehensive medical evaluation of the child which includes:

(a) A review of the birth family's previous medical history and the child's previous medical history, including if available x-rays, examinations, hospitalizations, and immunizations;

(b) A physical exam of the child by a consulting pediatrician with appropriate laboratory tests and x-rays;

(c) A referral to a specialist if indicated; and

(d) A written copy of the evaluation with recommendations to the adoptive family receiving the report.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     Every person, firm, society, association, or corporation receiving, securing a home for, or otherwise caring for a minor child shall transmit to the prospective adopting parent prior to placement and shall make available to all persons with whom a child has been placed by adoption, a complete family background and child and family social history report, which includes a chronological history of the circumstances surrounding the adoptive placement, significant childhood events and traumas, and any available psychiatric, psychological, or school reports.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     All families adopting a child through the department shall receive written information on the department's adoption-related services including, but not limited to, adoption support, family reconciliation services, archived records, mental health, and developmental disabilities.  A copy signed by the adoptive parents indicating that the information has been received and understood shall be placed in the adoptee's department files.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 26.33 RCW.