Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 13:36:31 -0500 (EST)
From: David Casti <disc@casti.com>
Subject: ACTION ALERT: adoption

Hi folks,

I don't have much contact information for Washington state...  However, a 
quick call to AT&T reveals that the "Community Relations Office" of the 
state legislature can be reached at 360-753-0222.  (That's right folks, 
area code 360.  Seattle metro kept 206, but the rest of western 
Washington state changed to 360 on Jan 15.)

If folks have more contact info, please mail it to me and I'll propogate 
it to the list.

David.


Submitted by: Cheryl Sesser <sesser@Arlut.UTexas.Edu>

H-0428.1   _______________________________________________

                           HOUSE BILL 1171
           _______________________________________________

State of Washington       54th Legislature       1995 Regular Session

By Representatives Stevens, Koster, Thompson, Casada, Hargrove,
Backlund, McMahan, McMorris, Crouse, Sherstad, Padden, Fuhrman,
Goldsmith, Boldt, Campbell and Pelesky

Read first time 01/16/95.  Referred to Committee on Children & Family
Services.

    AN ACT Relating to prohibiting adoption, foster care, and placement
care of minor children by homosexuals; adding a new section to chapter
26.33 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter
26.33 RCW to read as follows:
    The legislature finds that it is in the best interest of a minor
child for the child to reside, where possible, in a household with a
mother and a father, either the natural parents, a parent and
stepparent, adoptive parents, or foster parents.
    The legislature further finds that it is not in the best interest
of a minor child for the child to be placed in a household with a
homosexual, bisexual, transsexual, or transvestite, or with a person
who engages in such a conduct, act, practice, or relationship.
    The legislature further finds that there is a legitimate and
compelling state interest in ensuring minor children are placed, where
possible, in sound female with male married households and that minor
children are not placed in households with a homosexual, bisexual,
transsexual, or transvestite, or with a person who engages in such a
conduct, act, practice, or relationship.
    A homosexual, bisexual, transsexual, or transvestite, or a person
who engages in such a conduct, act, practice, or relationship, may not
become an adoptive, foster, or placement parent and may not have in
such a capacity a minor child under his or her care, custody, or
control.
    The state shall provide a written finding in an adoption, foster,
or placement proceeding that the prospective adoptive, foster, or
placement parent is not a homosexual, bisexual, transsexual, or
transvestite, and does not engage in such a conduct, act, practice, or
relationship.
    A court shall enforce this section in an adoption, foster, or
placement proceeding before it, and shall enter a written finding that
the prospective adoptive, foster, or placement parent is not a
homosexual, bisexual, transsexual, or transvestite, and does not engage
in such a conduct, act, practice, or relationship.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 2.  The provisions of this act are to be
liberally construed to effectuate the policies and purposes of this
act.  In the event of conflict between this act and any other provision
of law, the provisions of this act shall govern.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 3.  If any provision of this act or its
application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other
persons or circumstances is not affected.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 4.  This act is necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public peace, health, morals, or safety,
or the support of the state government and its existing public
institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

                             --- END ---