Lawmakers Seek to Reform Adoption Law

An e-mail circulating in Oklahoma is upsetting some state lawmakers who are working to reform adoption law.

Monday, April 6th 2009, 6:07 pm

By: News 9


By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An e-mail circulating in Oklahoma is upsetting some state lawmakers who are working to reform adoption law.

Supporters say Senate bill 1029 is meant to make the adoption process more transparent. But it creates more problems than the authors realize.

The need for reform stems from a multi county grand jury report in 2006 that found there are Oklahoma attorneys who have effectively sold children. A task force is working right now to protect those kids and their families through the adoption process. And a group of lawmakers have authored Senate Bill 1029.

Senate Bill 1029 is meant to provide full disclosure.

Transparency with issues like Indian blood and adoption expenses, lawmakers say, will improve the process in the state.

It will also require a home study -- a written report on the prospective family by a social worker. In Oklahoma right now, home studies are not always utilized.

"You're going to permanently place a child for adoption with somebody, and never do a home study, to me that is looney," Rep. Jason Nelson said.

A mass e-mail sent by Tulsa attorney Jennifer Kern claims the bill may actually make abortion or ill-prepared parenting more attractive in Oklahoma.

"I find this to be offensive. I find this to be innaccurate. And I find it to be a diversionary tactic," said Sen. Steve Russell. 

Sen. Russel is the bill's co-author, and has adopted children himself.

"Personally, as an adoptive father, I kind of scratched my head and said why would anyone not want these things if they were an adoptive parent going into this process, they should," Sen. Russell said.

That's why the pro-life lawmakers are stepping up together to refute the attack. They say the legislation is designed to protect birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents from financial extortion.

The Oklahoma County District Attorney agrees, and says the e-mail misinforms other legislators, and families.

Senate Bill 1029 has passed the Senate and a House committee. Right now, it's awaiting action on the House floor.

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