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Committee approves voluntary post‑adoption contact agreements for private adoptions
Summary
The committee advanced H.B. 13‑88 to allow voluntary, non‑court‑enforceable post‑adoption contact agreements for private adoptions; witnesses—adoptees, birth mothers and adoptive parents—testified the agreements provide stability and improve outcomes.
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill to permit voluntary post‑adoption contact agreements (PACAs) in private adoptions.
Representative Penzo presented H.B. 13‑88, and adoption attorneys and advocates described the legislation as codifying voluntary agreements that many private families already make informally. John Tribble, an attorney who focuses on adoptions, said the bill is limited to private adoptions and does not change confidentiality requirements for other adoption contexts. "This bill is concerning only private adoptions... it is absolutely voluntary," Tribble said.
Adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents testified in support. Megan Buckert described her own open adoption and said being able to formalize expectations helped her choose adoption and stay involved in her son's life; "He has never not known where he's come from," she said. Pastors and adoptive parents also said PACAs can support healthy child development and reduce anxiety for expectant parents.
The committee passed the bill by voice vote. Sponsors emphasized the bill does not make agreements court‑enforceable and excludes DCFS adoptions.
What’s next: H.B. 13‑88 will continue to the Senate floor; sponsors said they will coordinate with related legislation addressing DCFS post‑adoption practices in separate committees.
