The bill 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" throughout various sections of the law, which will now only recognize final decrees of adoption. For instance, the requirement for a petitioner to complete an adoption information sheet is now tied solely to the entry of a final decree. Additionally, the bill clarifies that no orders of adoption can be entered before the withdrawal period for consent has elapsed, and it specifies that the jurisdiction for adoption cases remains with the circuit court even if the juvenile is placed outside of Arkansas.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the rights and responsibilities of biological parents will be terminated upon the entry of a final decree of adoption, and it ensures that adopted minors are covered by medical insurance from the date of the final decree. The legislation also includes a provision stating that any interlocutory decrees issued before the effective date of this act will remain valid according to the terms set by the court. Overall, the bill streamlines the adoption process by eliminating the intermediary step of interlocutory decrees, thereby simplifying legal proceedings related to adoption in Arkansas.

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)