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Senate approves bill allowing restoration of terminated parental rights with amendments
Summary
Fourth substitute House Bill 156, which would permit restoration of parental rights for certain parents whose rights were previously terminated, passed the Senate after a friendly amendment and floor discussion focused on cautious incremental reform.
Senators passed the fourth substitute of House Bill 156, a measure that allows some parents who had their parental rights terminated to petition for restoration under defined circumstances.
Sponsor Senator Dayton described the bill as a path for parents who have “put their lives back in order” to apply for restoration when their child is a legal orphan or a failed adoption. He said the bill is intended to open a narrowly defined door for restoration while preserving child welfare safeguards.
Senator Harper offered and the body accepted a friendly amendment clarifying language and narrowing the conditions under which restoration may occur. After brief floor remarks in support from other senators, the Senate adopted the amended bill on a roll-call vote, 22 yea, 3 nay, 4 absent.
Supporters framed the measure as a cautious but important step that can be refined in future sessions; opponents voiced concern the change did not go far enough for some families but defended the incremental approach to secure passage. The bill will be sent back to the House for further consideration.
