Senate Bill No. 1501, also known as Public Act No. 25-48, introduces several amendments to the operations of Probate Courts in Connecticut, particularly concerning the filing of birth certificates and the adoption process. A key change allows parents or legal guardians to petition the Probate Court for an order to create and file a birth certificate when a birth occurs outside of an institution, replacing the previous requirement for petitions to be made to the court of probate. The bill also includes provisions for genetic testing to establish parentage, with the petitioner responsible for costs unless they are indigent. Additionally, the notification timeline for complainants and respondents regarding the termination of investigations has been extended from seven to fifteen business days, and the bill clarifies the conditions under which Probate Court orders can be reconsidered, emphasizing proper notice and the rights of interested parties.

Moreover, the bill modifies the appeal process in Probate Court, stating that the appellant typically bears the cost of transcripts unless they can prove financial hardship. It also mandates certified mail notifications for involuntary representation cases to the respondent's family if the spouse is unavailable. The adoption process is streamlined by repealing and replacing certain statutes, requiring applications to be filed in the Probate Court, and ensuring comprehensive reports on the child's history are still necessary. The bill prohibits disapproval of adoptions based solely on the adoptive parent's marital status or differences in race, color, or religion. Additionally, it establishes a working group to study conservatorship issues and allows tort claims against an estate to proceed in Superior Court under specific conditions. The bill will take effect on various dates, with some provisions starting as early as July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable:
File No. 741:
Public Act No. 25-48: