Adoption Legislation Given Unanimous Support By House

INDIANAPOLIS — Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Bob Kuzman (D-Crown Point) that modifies Indiana adoption law was passed by the Indiana House.

The primary initiative of Senate Bill 534 is to ensure that the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Law will no longer govern the voluntary termination of parent-child relationships and adoptions. Under current law, the issue of adoption termination is left vague and open to court interpretation.

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Law was enacted to avoid conflict with other states in matters of child custody. The purpose of the law is to avoid the harmful effects that result from shifting children from state to state.

"Indiana is a progressive and well respected state in matters of adoption law," Kuzman said. "Senate Bill 534 continues Indiana's commitment to efficient adoption practices, and deletes a legal loophole that had been created by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Law."

The legislation included various other provisions concerning adoption law. Under the bill, it would become a Class A misdemeanor to publish an advertisement in a phone directory that offers a child for adoption, unless the advertisement was placed by an attorney or a licensed child placing agency.

"Adoption law is particularly important as it directly affects Indiana's children," Kuzman concluded. "It is our obligation to improve adoption law, ensuring that the process is as smooth as it can be for the benefit of our youth."

The measure passed by a vote of 94 to 0, and will return to the Senate for consideration.