Date: Thu, 30 Mar 1995 17:56:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Richard Isaac <rmisaac@eskimo.com>
Subject: WA; 1995; Init 166

This is one of two anti-gay initiatives filed on 8 March 1995.

       *  Richard Isaac  
    __*_*___			report sightings of signature-gathering for
    \*   * /    Seattle			anti-gay initiatives to:
    *\    * 					767-2457
   ***\**/**    rmisaac
       \/   @eskimo.com


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 95 22:52:59 -0800
From: Richard Isaac <debcap@u.washington.edu>
Subject: initiative_167_032895

                           INITIATIVE 167

    I, Ralph Munro, Secretary of State of the State of Washington and
custodian of its seal, hereby certify that, according to the records on
file in my office, the attached copies of Initiative Measure No. 167
and Initiative Measure No. 168 to the Legislature are true and correct
copies as they were received by this office.


    Reviser's note:  Multiple initiatives were certified by this
certificate.  Each is filed as a separate document.

    AN ACT Relating to adoption and foster care placement of minor
children; adding new sections to chapter 26.33 RCW; and creating new
sections.

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

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 1.  This measure shall be known and cited
as the responsible adoptions act.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter
26.33 RCW to read as follows:
    The people find that there is a compelling state interest in the
adoption and foster care of minor children, however, the people find
that the state's interest in adoptive and foster care placement of
minor children is limited to consideration of the well-being of minor
children in need of adoption or foster care and does not extend to
providing for the needs, whether real or perceived, of adults to become
adoptive or foster care parents.  Therefore, the people find that in
adoptive and foster care placement of minor children all consideration
must be given to the well-being of the child, and that sound, natural
family relationships are the most important initial consideration of
that well-being.  The people further find that there is a compelling
state interest in the adoptive and foster care placement of minor
children, if at all possible, in sound, married, male-female
households.  Therefore, the people establish that:
    Neither the state of Washington nor any political subdivision nor
any agency of the state shall, for purposes of adoptive or foster care,
place any child into the custody of a person who practices
homosexuality, or who is participating in a same-gender marriage or
domestic partnership.  Placement of minor children made prior to the
effective date of this act is not affected by this section.
    (1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the state
or any agency of the state to take or remove any child from the custody
of the child's natural parent; and
    (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the state
or any agency of the state to initiate inquiries into or undertake
investigations of parents, or to otherwise violate the privacy of
families, except as otherwise provided by law to monitor the continued
well-being of children placed by the state for purposes of adoptive or
foster care.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter
26.33 RCW to read as follows:
    For purposes of section 2 of this act:
    (1) "Person who practices homosexuality" means any person who
engages in sexual activity with individuals of the same gender or has
a sexual desire for a person of the same gender, as determined by the
individual's willingness to be openly self-identified with those
desires.
    (2) "Gender" means the natural gender that was known at or before
birth.
    (3) "Domestic partnership" means any cohabitive arrangement between
two persons who have not committed themselves to each other through
marriage.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 4.  The people intend that this act be
liberally construed to provide the greatest possible assurance that all
adoptive and foster care placements of minor children are made in the
best interest of the child with the well-being of the child being of
primary concern.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 5.  This act shall in all parts be self-
executing.  A person residing in the state of Washington or a nonprofit
entity doing business in this state has standing to enforce the
provisions of this act.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 6.  The people intend that, if any part of
this act is declared unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the remaining parts survive in full force and effect;
and, if the application of this act to any particular person or
circumstance is ruled unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, its application to other persons and other circumstance
shall not be affected.

    {+ NEW SECTION. +}  Sec. 7.  In the event that a conflict arises
between this act and any other provision of law, the policies and
purposes of this act shall govern.

                             --- END ---