The bill S.13, introduced by Senator Hashim, aims to amend the current law regarding the termination of parental rights in adoption proceedings. Specifically, it reinstates the court's ability to consider whether a person asserting parental rights has made reasonable and consistent payments for the support of the minor child when determining if termination of parental rights is in the child's best interests. This is particularly relevant for cases involving minors over six months of age, where the court will evaluate the respondent's financial contributions alongside other factors such as communication and willingness to assume custody.

The proposed amendment to 15A V.S.A. 3-504 includes new legal language that specifies the court must consider a respondent's failure to make reasonable and consistent payments, in accordance with their financial means, when assessing parental responsibility. Additionally, the bill states that it will take effect upon passage, ensuring that these considerations are integrated into the legal framework for adoption proceedings promptly.