House approves adoption bill adding counseling aid and clarifying guardian consent

The Utah House unanimously approved House Bill 259 with floor amendments to clarify guardian consent in adoptions and to permit limited assistance to birth parents in private adoptions, including up to three counseling sessions capped at $250. Representative Hardy, who presented the measure, said the change clarifies who may travel with a birth mother and codifies types of allowable assistance, including payment for legal, maternity, counseling and travel expenses.

During floor questions Representative Harper asked about the $250 cap and whether it would be indexed for inflation; the sponsor replied that the figure was chosen because it ‘‘covers about 3 sessions of counseling’’ and was recommended by the adoption council that assisted in drafting the bill. The sponsor also said counseling is voluntary for birth mothers.

Representative Hardy described the bill as making mostly clerical and clarifying changes to the adoption code, tightening who can consent to an adoption (guardians may only consent with court approval and termination of parental rights) and requiring that counseling be offered to birth parents. The House adopted Amendment 1, which clarified the passenger policy for accompanying birth mothers, and then passed the bill; the clerk announced the vote as 71 yes, 0 no.

Supporters framed the bill as a modest step to provide supports to birth parents in private adoptions and to streamline the adoption process for families and agencies. The bill will now be transmitted to the Senate.