Connecticut House Bill HB05055

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/21
• Refer: 1/11/21

Caption

An Act Concerning The Adoption Of Children By Relative Caregivers.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05055 would impact the Department of Children and Families' practices regarding evidence admissible in adoption cases involving relatives. Currently, past conduct of relatives could hinder their ability to adopt, even if it occurred many years ago. This bill seeks to mitigate this potential barrier, which could lead to increased adoptions by relatives and strengthen familial bonds for children in need of stable home environments.

Summary

House Bill 05055 aims to amend existing statutes concerning the adoption of children by relative caregivers within the state. The bill proposes that evidence regarding past abuse, neglect, or drug use alleged against a prospective adoptive parent who is a relative of the child, is inadmissible if it occurred more than ten years prior to the adoption proceedings. This legislative move is designed to promote and facilitate adoptions by relatives, thereby supporting family unity and child welfare in situations that favor kinship placements.

Contention

Notably, there may be points of contention regarding the distinction between types of allegations that can be presented in court. While the bill allows prior allegations of general abuse, neglect, or drug use to be excluded if they occurred over ten years ago, it maintains that evidence of sexual abuse, regardless of the time frame, can still be introduced. This aspect of the bill may raise concerns about the protection of the child’s well-being, recommending a careful balance between promoting family connections and ensuring the safety of minors involved in adoption proceedings.