This bill amends New Jersey's adoption laws to establish the validity and enforceability of voluntary post-adoption contact agreements (PACAs) between adoptive parents and the biological or other relatives of the child. A PACA allows for continued contact, visitation, or information exchange between the adoptive child and specified relatives, which is particularly relevant in open adoptions. The bill introduces new legal language that clarifies that these agreements will be recognized by the court, provided they are entered into knowingly and voluntarily and serve the best interests of the child. The court will also consider the child's preferences regarding post-adoption contact if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to express a preference.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the court will enter a separate consent order for the PACA alongside the judgment of adoption, detailing the terms of the agreement. It also outlines the jurisdiction for any disputes related to the PACA, which will be handled in the Family Part of the Chancery Division of the Superior Court. Importantly, the bill states that failure by the adoptive parents to comply with the terms of the PACA will not be grounds for setting aside the adoption judgment. This legislative change aims to provide a more flexible approach to adoption arrangements, reflecting practices in other states that allow for open adoptions and PACAs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:2-7.1, 9:3-50