In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will amend the Domestic Relations Code by doing the following: - Requires the courts to set a hearing date no more than 20 days after the relinquishment petition has been filed. Under the alternative procedure for relinquishment, the court must set a hearing date no more than 40 days after the petition has been filed.
- Provides the procedure for notification of proceedings to putative fathers as well as the procedure to terminate the putative father’s parental rights.
- Constricts the time from 30 to five days in which the consent to an adoption by the birth mother, father, or putative father can be revoked.
- Includes reasonable and specific living expenses incurred by the natural mother three months prior to the due date and 60 days after the birth of the child as a permissible reimbursement of expenses by the adoptive parents.
- Further defines the validity of consent with respect to both the birth mother and putative father and the procedure to challenge the validity of consent.
- Allows the birth mother, father, or putative father to execute a waiver of notice requirements.
If you have any questions, or if you would like a copy of the legislation, please contact Lea Farrell at 787-9033 or lfarrell@pahousegop.com. |