This bill amends Florida Statutes to establish a framework for contracts regarding postadoption contact between adopted children and their birth parents and siblings. It allows adoptive parents and biological parents, along with the adopted child (if 12 years or older), to voluntarily enter into written contracts that facilitate continued contact until the child reaches 18 years of age. The bill outlines specific provisions that must be included in these contracts, such as statements regarding the non-invalidity of the adoption due to contract non-compliance and the inability to use disagreements over the contract as a basis for custody actions. Additionally, it specifies that certain provisions of the contract are unenforceable if they conflict with legal restrictions or the child's objections.

The bill also includes amendments to the filing process for adoption-related petitions, consolidating the filing fees for adoption actions, declaratory statements, and postadoption contract actions into a single fee. The court will retain jurisdiction to enforce, modify, or terminate these contracts, with the best interests of the child being the primary consideration in any related proceedings. The contract will automatically terminate when the adopted child turns 18, and it will not be enforceable during periods when the adoptive parents temporarily lose custody of the child. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 558 c1: 63.102