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Committee holds public comment on 'adoption tourism' after agencies and birth mothers dispute media reports
Summary
The committee added a public hearing on adoption practices after media reports; licensed adoption agency representatives and birth-mother advocates testified about safeguards, agency responsibilities and allegations of coerced out-of-state placements; the committee heard conflicting accounts and asked for more information.
After members asked for more public input on adoption-related media reports, the Judiciary Interim Committee added a public hearing on "adoption tourism" and received testimony from licensed adoption agencies, birth mothers and an adoption attorney representing out-of-state clients.
Agency representatives said Utah adoption agencies follow state licensing rules, use an adoption-orientation form that lists rights and responsibilities for birth parents, document and report permissible adoption-related expenses, and do not require birth mothers to repay living expenses should they change their mind before relinquishment. Donna Pope of Heart to Heart Adoptions said the orientation form covers birth-parent rights including the right to take time before signing and the ability to change their mind prior to signing relinquishment.
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