04/30/1998 03:10 PM House HES

HB 332 - ADOPTION PREFERENCE FOR RELATIVES                                     
                                                                               
Number 0860                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE indicated the committee would hear HB 332, "An Act              
relating to adoptive placements by the Department of Health and                
Social Services," sponsored by Representative James.                           
                                                                               
Number 0890                                                                    
                                                                               
PATRICK LOUNSBURY, Legislative Secretary to Representative                     
Jeannette James, came before the committee to explain the                      
legislation.  He stated HB 332 is a concept that seems to make good            
sense.  It simply allows that a blood relative could be first in               
line to adopt a child that is in the state's care for placement.               
Mr. Lounsbury pointed out that it is consistent with the national              
trend regarding open adoption procedures and it was actually                   
inspired by the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978.  He stated            
the legislation has also been used as model legislation in other               
countries around the world.  Mr. Lounsbury stated, "In all cases               
that I've come across, it's been a mid to upper 90 percent rate of             
successful placement rates."  He said just knowing where you come              
from and who you are can give you a great piece of mind and it's a             
piece of mind that a lot of us take for granted."  He said the                 
confidentiality and closed adoption procedures that exist have                 
prevented many people from knowing this very basic information.                
Even genetic information such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes,              
et cetera has been restricted.  Some of the adoption procedures                
have been arbitrary and capricious.  He informed the committee of              
an instance in Montreal, Canada, where infants were placed                     
according to their religious affiliation.  Open adoption has proven            
fruitful for both the biological parents and the children.  Mr.                
Lounsbury stated he believes that Alaska needs to keep moving                  
forward in this arena.  He noted there currently is a provision for            
kinship placement in foster cases; this legislation would allow for            
permanent placement.                                                           
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked if the legislation would memorialize in                   
statute what is pretty much a common practice.                                 
                                                                               
Number 1030                                                                    
                                                                               
MR. LOUNSBURY responded that it is a national trend.                           
                                                                               
Number 1061                                                                    
                                                                               
KATHY TIBBLES, Administrator, Social Services Program, Division of             
Family and Youth Services, Department of Health & Social Services,             
came before the committee.  She explained that the current practice            
is placement with relatives whenever there is a viable relative                
available and willing to take a child.  She said the division                  
believes HB 332 is a good bill and the right thing to do.                      
                                                                               
Number 1072                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN BUNDE indicated there were no further witnesses to testify            
and closed the public hearing.                                                 
                                                                               
Number 1080                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE DYSON made a motion to move HB 332 out of committee.            
There being no objection, HB 332 moved out of the House Health,                
Education and Social Services Standing Committee.