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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2006
Contact: Tracy Polovick
Coordinator of Communications and Outreach
(717) 787-8524
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Vance Legislation to Streamline Foreign Adoption Procedures Goes to Governor

HARRISBURG – Sen. Pat Vance's (R-Cumberland/York) legislation to simplify the procedures to register foreign adoptions in Pennsylvania is headed to the governor's desk after the Senate today concurred in House amendments.

"I'm pleased to see this legislation is on the verge of becoming law and appreciated Rep. Jerry Birmelin's efforts to shepherd the bill through the House," Vance said. "It is very expensive for a family to adopt a child overseas. Families then return to Pennsylvania and face various adoption procedures throughout the Commonwealth to complete the process. These parents care enough to make a difference in the life of a child and should not be forced to complete a burdensome and costly process here. This legislation will create a straightforward way to register foreign adoptions in Pennsylvania."

Senate Bill 332 allows parents to obtain a full and final adoption by filing with the clerk of court an authenticated copy of the foreign adoption decree, a copy of the child's visa and the child's birth certificate or other form of birth identification. If the court rules the adoption is full and final, no hearing will be required, and the parents will not be required to obtain counsel. Additionally, the clerk of courts must provide a standard petition, court order and instructions for use to adoptive parents who have to readopt their foreign child to finalize the adoption because they cannot meet the requirements of the streamlined process.

Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.