Committee hears bill to create expedited confirmatory adoption for parents who used assisted reproduction

The Vermont House Judiciary Committee on an unspecified date considered H.98, a bill to create an expedited confirmatory adoption process for parents who conceived a child through assisted reproduction. Michelle Childs, Office of Legislative Council, and attorneys and advocates supporting the bill told the committee the change would give families an additional, faster option to obtain a judicial adoption decree confirming parentage.

The bill would add a new provision to the adoption title (Title 15A) to permit a limited, streamlined adoption when a child was born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the non‑birthing parent is already legally recognized as a parent under Vermont parentage law (Title 15‑C). Michelle Childs, Office of Legislative Council, described the proposal as providing “belts and suspenders” to give parents “more assurance from a portability standpoint.”

Supporters said the change responds to families’ concerns about recognition of parentage outside Vermont. Polly (GLAD attorney), testifying for GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, said the Vermont Parentage Act is a model for other states and that many families seek an adoption decree because they perceive it as the strongest protection when they move or travel. “People are really, worried and fearful.…