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Committee hears AB520 to allow limited release of adoption records, require director background checks and add remote hearings
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Assembly Bill 520, which would let the Division of Child and Family Services release adoption information in certain extenuating circumstances without parental consent, require background checks for directors of private child-placing agencies consistent with federal rules, and permit remote visual hearings for adoption proceedings.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Assembly Bill 520, sponsored by the Joint Interim Committee on Health and Human Services, which would adjust how adoption information may be released, require state-conducted background checks for directors of private child-placing agencies, and add remote-technology options for adoption proceedings.
Betsy Crumrine, deputy administrator for the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), said the bill's original intent was to authorize background checks on child-placing-agency directors similar to the checks performed on agency employees and to ensure compliance with federal rules administered by the Department of Public Safety. "Criminal background checks must comply with federal rules administered by the Department of Public Safety," she said. She added the division would offer a third conceptual amendment to the committee within two days to reconcile federal compliance questions.
Release of adoption information and remote proceedings
Under current Nevada practice, the state adoption register releases identifying information only with the natural parent's consent. AB520 would add an exception allowing DCFS to release information when it determines "extenuating circumstances" justify a release, in part to address situations where siblings, grandparents or step-siblings cannot obtain information because a natural parent cannot or will not consent. Crumrine said the bill also adds remote technologies (beyond telephone) for holding adoption proceedings, to allow visual attendance when courts have the capability.
Scope and technical amendments
Crumrine told the committee that a conceptual amendment accepted in the first house deletes Sections 3, 4 and 11 to ensure compliance with federal rules and that a further technical amendment will be filed in the next 48 hours. She said there are five private child-placing agencies in Nevada; the proposed background-check authority would apply to directors of those licensed nonprofits.
Public comment and disposition
A caller identified as Katine Ivanoff/ Ivanov provided on-record support for the bill, saying siblings should be able to find each other. No opposing callers stepped forward in the hearing record. The committee closed the hearing without a vote and the sponsor said a third amendment would be filed shortly.
Ending
AB520 addresses procedural and record-access issues in state adoption practice and aims to align background-check procedures with federal rules. Sponsors will deliver an additional conceptual amendment to the committee before further action.
