(PRESS RELEASE) A bill that makes it easier for California families to adopt children has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.
AB 2872 makes three important clarifications that will eliminate confusion within the Family Law Code, one of which is causing an 18 month backlog of stepparent adoption cases in many California counties.
Hospitals must complete certain paperwork when discharging a baby into the care of a prospective adoptive family, however the Family Law Code as it’s currently written is unclear about what information is needed to ensure that the child will be safe. This bill specifies which paperwork must be completed.
Finally, AB 2872 clarifies that court-appointed investigators have the right to access juvenile court files—saving time and money when reviewing guardianship cases.
“Families facing an 18 month wait to have their cases heard because of a confusing state law is unacceptable,” Assemblyman Jim Patterson said. “California families willing to open their hearts and their homes to kids shouldn’t have to suffer through bureaucratic delays. This bill will help to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
[Click here to subscribe to Pregnancy Help News!]
Having adopted three children, Assemblyman Patterson and his family are passionate advocates for adoption. He is determined to promote adoption during his service in the Legislature and has successfully worked with the adoption community to get laws passed every year he’s been in office.
Tweet This: @JimPatterson559, a 3x adoptive father, pushes through new #California #adoption legislation. #prolife
Past adoption legislation includes AB 1701, which protects babies abandoned by birth parents during the adoption process, AB 848 which clarified the grounds for obtaining an abbreviated home study and most recently, AB 1049 which overturned a discriminatory court decision and upheld 20 years of adoption law to ensure that a birth mother is supported by a presumed father.
Assemblyman Patterson (R-Fresno) represents the 23rd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes communities in Fresno and Tulare County.
