The proposed legislation aims to eliminate interlocutory decrees of adoption and amend the Revised Uniform Adoption Act in Arkansas. Key changes include the removal of references to "interlocutory decrees" in various sections of the law, which will now only recognize final decrees of adoption. For instance, the bill amends Arkansas Code 9-9-104(c) to require the completion of an adoption information sheet before the entry of a final decree of adoption, and it clarifies that no orders of adoption can be entered prior to the withdrawal period for consent. Additionally, the bill specifies that the jurisdiction for adoption cases will remain with the circuit court, even if a juvenile is placed outside of Arkansas.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new language regarding the effect of adoption decrees, stating that a final decree of adoption will relieve biological parents of all parental rights and responsibilities. It also clarifies that the duty to pay child support continues until a final decree of adoption is entered. Importantly, the act stipulates that it will only affect decrees entered after its effective date, ensuring that any interlocutory decrees issued prior to this act will remain valid as per the original court terms.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB599 V2 - 4-7-2025 12:25 PM: 9-9-104(c), 9-9-205(a), 9-9-212(a), 9-9-213, 9-9-214(c), 9-9-215, 04-07-2025, 9-9-219, 9-9-220(a), 9-14-237(a), 9-27-306(a), 23-98-106(a)
Old version SB599 Original - 4-1-2025 02:37 PM: 9-9-104(c), 9-9-205(a), 9-9-212(a), 9-9-213, 9-9-214(c), 9-9-215, 9-9-219, 9-9-220(a), 9-14-237(a), 9-27-306(a), 23-98-106(a)
SB 599: 9-9-104(c), 9-9-205(a), 9-9-212(a), 9-9-213, 9-9-214(c), 9-9-215, 9-9-219, 9-9-220(a), 9-14-237(a), 9-27-306(a), 23-98-106(a)
Act 744: 9-9-104(c), 9-9-205(a), 9-9-212(a), 9-9-213, 9-9-214(c), 9-9-215, 04-07-2025, 9-9-219, 9-9-220(a), 9-14-237(a), 9-27-306(a), 23-98-106(a)