Petri Sponsored Bill Aims to Smooth Adoption Process

State Representative (R-178) is sponsoring a new house bill which would make it easier for people seeking to adopt a child from Pennsylvania. 

According to the representative's office, the legislation would reduce the window of time birth parents are given to revoke adoption consent from 30 days to 20 days. 

In addition, the bill would terminate parental rights when a parent has committed certain sexual offenses, or other severe forms of abuse against their child or another child living in the parent's household.  

If the biological parents of the child can not be located after a reasonable search, the bill would allow the court to publish notice for the termination of rights proceeding in an effort to inform the parents.

Pennsylvania's current adoption laws can be cumbersome and make those looking to adopt search outside of the state, Petri said in a statement.

Petri hopes the passage of House Bill 451 will make it easier for the more than 800 kids in the state waiting to be adopted find a new family.

“Our adoption laws are very outdated and actually discourage a lot of people from adopting children in Pennsylvania,” said Petri.

Petri added the waiting period is too long.

“We have found that many adoptive parents are unwilling to risk losing a child once they have bonded with the child,” he said.

The new bill, which was approved last week in the House of Representatives Children and Youth Committee, is on its way to the floor of the House for consideration.

Petri’s 178th district includes Ivyland, Northampton, Warwick, Wrightstown, Upper Makefield and Upper Southampton.