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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 18, 2015 11:51 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Dan L. Miller |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Elimination of hearings to confirm consent to adoption |
| I soon will introduce legislation that would eliminate the requirement of holding a hearing to confirm a consent to an adoption when the birth parent or parents of the child being placed for adoption have executed valid consents to an adoption. My legislation would authorize the court to confirm the consent without such a hearing and enter a decree of termination of parental rights and duties. This legislation is being reintroduced from last session (former HB 740) and is part of a package of legislation that is being reintroduced to reform Pennsylvania’s adoption laws and improve the adoption process. My legislation will amend Section 2504 (Alternative Procedure for Relinquishment) of Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pa. C.S. by eliminating the requirement to hold a hearing to confirm consent to an adoption and empowering the court to confirm the consent and enter a decree of termination of parental rights and duties. After consultation with several practicing attorneys and family court judges, it is my contention that these hearings, which are subsequent to and different from the initial relinquishment hearing, are a waste of judicial time and resources. Many other states do not require such a hearing in the adoption process. I believe this legislation, as well as the other bills in the aforementioned legislative package, will significantly improve Pennsylvania’s adoption laws and make it easier for adoptive parents to provide stable and loving homes for children in need of them. Please consider co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1531