Senate Bill No. 125, reported by the Committee on Children, recommends changes to the general statutes regarding adoptive placements and terminology, effective July 1, 2024. The bill mandates counseling for identified pregnant individuals within 72 hours post-birth or as soon as medically possible, provided by qualified mental health professionals. It allows prospective adoptive parents to be present during labor and birth and to visit the newborn with the consent of the involved parties. Hospitals must ensure a secure transfer of custody for newborns identified for adoption and share nonidentifying care information with the prospective adoptive parents or agency. The bill revises permissible payments by prospective adoptive parents for pregnancy or adoption-related expenses, requiring Probate Court approval, and clarifies that these payments do not obligate the genetic parents to proceed with the adoption, nor do they guarantee reimbursement to the adoptive parents if the adoption does not occur, except under certain conditions.

Additionally, the bill outlines that prospective adoptive parents must file a sworn affidavit with the Probate Court detailing all intended payments or reimbursements before making them, unless under $2,000 and deemed necessary by a child-placing agency. It allows for advertising by alleged genetic parents and prospective adoptive parents or their representatives for child placement without specifying the state. The bill establishes an Adoption Review Board, updates terminology for inclusivity, and mandates education on mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect in birthing hospitals. It also requires coordination between the Department of Children and Families and hospitals for the care of high-risk newborns and updates the definition of "birthing hospital." The bill removes the $1,500 cap on payments to birth parents, instead requiring that such payments be reasonable and approved by the Probate Court. It also updates terminology in accordance with the Connecticut Parentage Act and makes technical changes. The bill applies DCF regulations to all identified adoptions and modifies the composition of the Adoption Review Board. The effective date is July 1, 2024, with no anticipated fiscal impact, and the bill received a Joint Favorable vote of 11 to 6.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
KID Joint Favorable:
File No. 7: