NCALP- Weekly News Summary

May 13, 2013

If you are unable to access the links on this page click here. Follow us: ADOPTION NATIONAL: “Adoptions of Children Decrease by 48% Worldwide” BY: Clemente Ferrer Roselló The number of international adoptions has dropped by 48% as the adoption process has continued to become more difficult and complex for prospective adoptive parents. This decrease can be attributed to the fewer number of children available for adoption as well as the recent tightening of conditions in certain countries such as China and Russia. Salem News, May 6th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here   ADOPTION NATIONAL: “Gay Adoption Bill Set to be Reintroduced with Bipartisan Support” BY: Amanda Terkel The Every Child Deserves A Family Act, which proposes to allow same-sex couples to adopt and become foster parents, is set to be reintroduced in the capitol. Currently, these couples face barriers to adopting or fostering children in 39 states and seven states ban a homosexual from adopting his or her partner’s children and issues arise when petitioning for join adoption in five states. The bill would also prohibit programs that receive federal funding from discriminating against potential foster and adoptive families based on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. Huffington Post, May 6th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here   FOSTER CARE FLORIDA: “Legislature Toughens Rules for Unregulated Children’s Homes” BY: Katie Sanders After incidents of abuse were discovered at unlicensed children’s homes, lawmakers moved to impose new requirements. HB 7129, which makes modest changes to disclosure requirements, passed the Florida Senate and House and is on its way to Governor Rick Scott. The bill also adds a 24-hour reporting requirement, clarifies accreditation requirements, and allows fines to be imposed for failing to comply with state policy. Tampa Bay Times, May 3rd, 2013 For Full Article Click Here   ADOPTION ALABAMA: “Gov. Bentley Signs Law Streamlining Adoption for Foster Children” BY: Ellis Eskew Governor Bently, who is also an adoptive parent, has signed a new law that streamlines adoptions involving foster children by shortening the time the child is in state custody from 15 months to 12 months. The law, in hopes to make things easier on the foster children as well as adoptive parents, gives the court 90 days to determine the parental rights of the child and 30 after the trial to make a final order. AlabamaNews.net, May 8th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here   CHILD PROTECTION MINNESOTA: “Senate Passes Bill Removing Civil Statute of Limitation on Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits” BY: Megan Boldt A proposed bill in Minnesota would make it easier for those who were sexually abused as children to bring civil lawsuits against their abuser by eliminating the civil statute of limitation in most cases. This new legislation would wipe out any time restrictions to file a civil action for someone who was abused before he or she turned 18. If passed, Minnesota would become the fifth state to wipe out civil limitations in sexual abuse cases. Pioneer Press, May 8th, 2013 For Full Article Click Here The preceding are summaries of adoption/child welfare law news articles prepared by The National Center for Adoption Law & Policy. These summaries are provided for your information only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center. We strive to print news that reflects the diversity of our readership and a variety of viewpoints and approaches to child welfare issues. While we may not agree with a position taken, we believe in the critical importance to our constituents of impartial reporting.