Second Parent Adoption
This past week, State Representative Paul Condino (D-Southfield)
introduced a bill before the House of Representatives to expand
the pool of parents eligible to adopt a child in Michigan. "Study
after study shows the importance to children of maintaining a
safe, loving home with two stable parents," Condino said. "While
it would be ideal to hope that all of those parents would be
married to each other, many adults do not or cannot marry for a
variety of reasons. Their children should not bear the legal
burden of this decision."
Representative Condino's bill would amend the Probate Code to
state that two unmarried persons may jointly adopt a child in
Michigan. In addition, the bill would clarify that an already
existing legal parent would not need to terminate his or her
parental rights in order to consent to a second person adopting
the child. Representative Condino's bill would not diminish
existing rights for birth parents in any way.
Condino notes that under current law, disastrous results can
happen if two parents are raising a child but only one is the
legal parent. Non-legal parents lack the ability to make
medical decisions for their children, as well as other important
parental decisions. If something happens to the legal parent, the
other parent has no legal rights to his or her child. In many
cases, courts separate parents and children altogether because of
the lack of legal standing. "This is hardly the best way to
ensure a stable, loving environment for Michigan’s children,"
Condino observed.
According to the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS),
there were 2,611 adoptions finalized through DHS offices and
private adoption agencies during fiscal year 2003. Almost 14,000
children are in the foster care system today. Of those,
approximately 4,500 children in foster care have a goal of
adoption. The bill has already received bipartisan
co-sponsorshipfrom numerous Representatives.
ACT NOW to pass House Bill 5399 which will help guarantee
children the protections of having two legal parents. This bill
will help more children, including children of GLBT parents, be
more healthy and secure. Legislation was introduced last week
that will help more children get adopted and more families feel
secure in guardianship of children. The measure could also save
Michigan tax- payers money, by helping children get out of the foster
care system, and into homes with parents that love them.
(above text from Fair
Michigan Majoriity document.......)