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SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1183
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AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE.
C 281 L 89
State of Washington 51st Legislature 1989 Regular Session
By House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Kremen, Bristow, Patrick, Scott, Holland, Leonard, Braddock, Brekke, Zellinsky, Phillips, Spanel, Silver and Wineberry)
Read first time 2/20/89.
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 or that will assist the adoptive parents in maximizing the
developmental potential of the child.
(2) Where available, the information provided shall include:
(a) A review of the birth family's and the child's previous medical history, if available, including x-rays, examinations, hospitalizations, and immunizations;
(b) A physical exam of the child by a licensed physician 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 family background and child and family social history report, which includes a chronological history of the circumstances surrounding the adoptive placement and any available psychiatric reports, psychological reports, court reports pertaining to dependency or custody, or school reports. Such reports or information shall not reveal the identity of the natural parents of the child.
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.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 26.33 RCW.