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Utah committee advances bill to waive some home‑study requirements in long‑term guardianship adoptions
Summary
A House Judiciary subcommittee voted unanimously to favorably recommend HB 141, which would allow judges to waive pre‑placement adoptive evaluations when a child has lived with prospective adoptive parents for an extended time. Proponents said the change reduces cost and delay while retaining mandatory background checks.
The House Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced HB 141 on a favorable recommendation, moving the adoption modifications bill closer to final consideration.
The measure, sponsored in committee by Representative Shipp, would allow judges to waive the statutory pre‑placement adoptive evaluation — commonly called a "home study" — in cases where a child has been living with the prospective adoptive parents for a significant time. Supporters said the change is aimed at cases where the child already has an established family relationship with the adoptive adults.
Timothy Daniels, an attorney with the Utah Adoption Law Center, told the committee the bill was drafted to address two recurring scenarios:…
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