WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Law will help parents with disabilities keep their children

Early Learning & Human Services Committee hearing. HB 2616 Steven M. Herppich
Early Learning & Human Services Committee hearing. HB 2616

Just before the weekend, the Senate passed HB 2616, Rep. Roger Freeman’s bill, that will give parents with disabilities the tools they need to keep their family together.

On the bill’s passage Rep. Freeman said, “This is a great day for parents with disabilities. Parenting is hard. As a father of two, I understand the difficulties. For a parent with disabilities, the challenges are even greater. This bill will give them access to the services they and their children deserve.”

The bill was strongly supported by the National Council on Disabilities. In a 2012 report, they found that child removal rates for parents who have a psychiatric disability as high as 70 to 80 percent; for parents who have an intellectual disability, 40 to 80 percent. They are the only distinct community of Americans who must struggle – solely because of their status – to retain custody of their children.

“We know the best place for children is with their parents,” Freeman said. “But some parents need a little extra help. This law recognizes that and brings a new appreciation and respect to parents with disabilities.  We still have much work to do to support all Washington’s families, but this bill is a big step in the right direction.”

If a parent with a disability is at risk of losing his or her child, this bill would require the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to give the case an extra look and see if reasonable accommodation can be made to help parents keep their children. Then, DSHS must follow-through and help parents come up with a plan to make sure they can access these support services.

HB 2616 now heads to Governor Inslee’s desk for his signature.