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Committee approves RS 32109 for print to require adoptive parents to cover counseling and legal services for birth mothers
Summary
Sen. Tammy Nichols presented RS 32109 to require adoptive parents to pay for specified pre- and post-placement counseling and to inform birth mothers of their right to legal counsel; the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee voted to send the draft to print.
Senator Tammy Nichols (District 10) presented RS 32109 to the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee, describing it as a revision to Idaho Code section 18-15-11 intended to strengthen supports for birth mothers during the adoption process.
Nichols said the draft would add two counseling periods paid by prospective adoptive parents: a pre-placement counseling period consisting of a minimum of three sessions and a post-placement counseling period of at least six sessions. She said the bill would also require that birth mothers be informed they may obtain legal counsel and counseling services of their choice, with costs payable by the prospective adoptive parents.
Committee members asked about cost controls. Senator Uchte asked whether the bill contains language requiring that fees be "reasonable" for counseling or legal services. Senator Lent and the chair pointed to existing draft language: Nichols and the chair referenced a provision for "reasonable maternity and living expenses" and a clause requiring court review and approval for expenditures over $2,000. Nichols confirmed that the draft includes those provisions.
After discussion, Senator Lent moved to send RS 32109 to print; Senator Keiser seconded. The committee carried the motion by voice vote and the chair directed staff to send the RS to print.
The hearing was a request-stage RS presentation (a draft for printing); no final statute vote was taken by the committee at this meeting.
