ADOPTIVE PARENT RESIDENCY - S.B. 702: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
sans-serif">Senate Bill 702 (as introduced 9-17-03)
Sponsor: Senator Bev Hammerstrom
Committee: Families and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Adoption Code to eliminate a requirement that an adoptive parent be a Michigan resident.
Under the Code, a parent or guardian with legal and physical custody of a child, or a child placing agency, may make a temporary placement of the child. In addition to meeting other requirements, the prospective adoptive parent with whom the child is temporarily placed must be a Michigan resident. The bill would delete the residency requirement. The bill would require that the prospective adoptive parent have had a preplacement assessment completed within one year before the date of the transfer with a finding that the prospective adoptive parent is suitable to be a parent of an adoptee.
Under the Code, the prospective adoptive parent must sign a statement setting forth the date of the transfer and his or her name and address, and stating that the prospective adoptive parent agrees to reside with the child in Michigan until a formal placement occurs and the court approves a change of residence. Under the bill, the document would have to state that the prospective adoptive parent agreed to remain with the child in Michigan until a petition for adoption was filed and either the court approved the child’s removal from the State or the child was sent to the receiving state in compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. The statement also would have to provide that the prospective adoptive parent submitted to this State’s jurisdiction.
The Code requires the adoption attorney or child placing agency assisting with the temporary placement or the child placing agency that makes the temporary placement to submit a report to the court in the county in which the prospective adoptive parent resides, within two days after a transfer of physical custody. Under the bill, the report would have to be submitted to the court in the county where the prospective adoptive parent resides, the county in which the child’s parent or guardian resides, or the county in which the child is found.
MCL 710.23d - Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: Mike HansenS0304\s702sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.