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Adoption
HTT: Should America have one set of adoption laws?
(stolen from: https://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/30/martin.adopt/index.html)
Why can't DA occur regardless of state lines? To me it doesn't make a lot of sense that NC doesn't allow out-of-state adoptions or that it could take up to 4 weeks for ICPC to clear you to leave Ohio with an adopted child. Or that you have to study up on how long after birth the BM can waive her rights, then how long she has to change her mind, then how the BF rights are waived if he isn't known/ told about the baby.
Other countries have 1 set of laws regarding IA adoptions, should the US adopt (HA!) a similar stragedy?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: HTT: Should America have one set of adoption laws?
Yes, I do think in a way it would help. In one state, you're allowed to pay for birthmother's expenses, in another, you're not. To have to laws "centralized" would make it a more even playing field. We did IA and I'm not really that "up" on DA requirements. I think it would make the fee structure more standardized, allow for fewer unethical adoptions and make the process more predictable.
On the other hand, I agree w/PP that it does make sense for the state to regulate the process. I guess you could say I'm in favor of coming up with standards that each state would adhere to rather than having the Federal Govt. take control.
BB&J
No, I'm not for federal regulation of adoption laws. Can you imagine the bureaucracy and red tape THAT would create? In a perfect world, it would streamline the process, require less paperwork, etc. But this is far from a perfect world.
Where would adoption finalizations be handled? Federal court? Can you imagine the waiting period for that?
I see what you mean, MrsB, and I agree about the red tape and the bureaucracy... especially with a Congress who thinks it's more important to investigate how top football teams are chosen instead of, oh, say fixing the economy?
But I would REALLY like to see a uniform, united set of adoption laws for the states. I think the process should be continued to be handled locally, but that all states should have the same regulations about advertising, e-parent financial help, TPR, revocation periods, finalization, adoptee records... I think it could eliminate a lot of unethical practices by some agencies and facilitators working with those "adoption friendly" states (which means it's friendly to agencies and a-parents, but not friendly to e-parents/b-parents). It would no longer be an option to move an e-mom to Utah where she can permanently sign away her rights pre-birth (I think that's where that is) b/c all states would have the same laws.
In the perfect world, w/o the expected red tape imposed by the gov't, I think standard laws would serve the adoption world well. I also think by defining the laws, we'd see a reduction in the cost of adoption. I still think it would be high...but I bet that it wouldn't be 35k+.