It’s official. As we reported Saturday Washington SUB HB 2211 is dead for this session. Although it’s still in the hopper, perennial bill killer, and bastard baiter Sen. Jim Hargrove, told 2211’s sponsor Rep. Tina Orwall that he has no plan to bring it forward this year. Naturally, Hargrove is not available for comment, a convenience that enables him to sidestep the question even the most incurious reporter must wonder: what’s your problem with bastards?
But never fear! Tina Ovrwall intends to bring the bill back next year. Don’t get too excited, though. According to the Tacoma News Tribune, her comrade in compromise, birthmother Rep Ann Rivers, who is currently under the impression (we hope she wakes up) that she speaks for voiceless cowering first mothers:
I think it will give us the direction that Sen. Hargrove might have perceived was lacking,” Rivers said. “We’ll make sure all the bases are covered, and we’ll proceed.
And just what might that direction be?
Hargrove supported the 1993 law that opened OBCs for October 1, 1993 adoptions and beyond unless a disclosure veto has been filed. According to Wa-Care no vetoes have been filed; Laurie Lippold from the Washington Children’s Home Society claim one. How do they know?.
HB 2211 expanded that veto–making it time-limited for 5 years (Oct 1 1993 forward) and 10 years (pre-October 1,1993) and renewable to cover all adoptions. Just what more does Hargrove want? We’d conjecture out loud , but we don’t want to give him any ideas.
Wouldn’t it just be easier for Wa-Car, Rep. Overwall and Rivers to demand across the board access with no exceptions and Hargrove to jump his sinking ship? Until that happens, their all in that same rickety boat.
clean obcs bills have been heard in the committee Hargrove chairs since Jan. 1998 when SB 6496 was introduced. Back then and for the past 2 ys. birth moms have testified they were not promised lifelong confidentiality. As far as birth mom Rep. Ann Rivers insisting on a 10 year veto one wonders why she wants birth mothers as well as adult adoptees to be treated like second-class citizens. As a republican you’d think she’d be for less government interference.