Subcommittee advances bill clarifying California jurisdiction for confirmatory adoptions
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Summary
SB 450 would clarify that California courts may adjudicate confirmatory adoptions for children born in California even when the adoptive parents no longer live in the state; the subcommittee advanced the measure to Appropriations after proponents from Equality California and adoption law groups testified.
A State Senate Judiciary subcommittee moved SB 450 to the Senate Appropriations Committee after author Senator María Menjivar told the panel the bill clarifies California—ourt jurisdiction over confirmatory adoptions for children born in the state even when adoptive families no longer reside here.
"SB 450 will clarify and reaffirm California's longstanding jurisdiction for adoption proceedings including confirmatory adoptions," Menjivar said. She said the change is intended to ensure that families who relocate to less supportive states retain access to California's streamlined confirmatory-adoption process when the child was born in California.
Proponents included Craig Polster of Equality California, who described the measure as a safeguard for LGBTQ+ parents who may face legal uncertainty if they leave the state. "One of the most important things LGBTQ parents can do to protect their families is to secure a court ordered adoption decree," Polster said, arguing the bill ensures that legal recognition established in California remains available to children born in the state.
Alice Kessler, representing the Academy of California Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Lawyers, also supported the bill and offered to answer technical questions about adoption law.
There were no primary opponents at the hearing. Committee members asked no substantive questions after testimony. The subcommittee moved SB 450 to Senate Appropriations; the committee roll calls recorded the measure passing on party-line-free votes.
Why it matters: The bill aims to remove ambiguity in the Family Code about when California courts can issue confirmatory adoption decrees for children born here, a change proponents say will protect families who relocate.
What's next: SB 450 goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further review; the author requested an "aye" vote at the subcommittee.
Votes at a glance: Committee roll calls recorded the measure advancing to Appropriations with unanimous committee support on the day of the hearing.
