HLS 10RS-1577 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 737
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
ADOPTION: Provides relative to persons who may petition to adopt
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact Children's Code Articles 1198 and 1221 and R.S. 40:79(A)(2)(a),2
relative to adoption; to provide for persons who may file a petition for adoption; to3
provide for the issuance of a new birth certificate; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. Children's Code Articles 1198 and 1221 are hereby amended and6
reenacted to read as follows: 7
Art. 1198. Persons who may petition for adoption8
A single person or two single persons jointly, eighteen years or older, or a9
married couple jointly may petition to adopt a child through an agency. When one10
joint petitioner dies after the petition has been filed, the adoption proceedings may11
continue as though the survivor was a single original petitioner.12
* * *13
Art. 1221. Persons who may petition for adoption14
A single person or two single persons jointly, eighteen years or older, or a15
married couple jointly may petition to privately adopt a child. When one joint16
petitioner dies after the petition has been filed, the adoption proceedings may17
continue as though the survivor was a single original petitioner.18 HLS 10RS-1577 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 737
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Section 2. R.S. 40:79(A)(2)(a) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:1
ยง79. Record of adoption decree 2
A.3
* * *4
(2)(a) If the child is adopted by a married couple or two single persons5
jointly, the names of both parties shall be recorded as the parents, even if one of the6
petitioning parties dies prior to entry of the final judgment of adoption.7
* * *8
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Leger HB No. 737
Abstract: Authorizes adoption by two single persons jointly.
Present law provides that a single person or a married couple jointly may petition to adopt
a child.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that two single persons jointly
may petition to adopt a child.
Present law provides that upon a final decree of adoption, the state registrar shall make a
new certificate of live birth of the person adopted in certain circumstances.
Proposed law requires the registrar to make a new certificate of live birth of the person
adopted by two single persons jointly and requires the name of both parties to be recorded
as the parents.
(Amends Ch.C. Arts. 1198 and 1221 and R.S. 40:79(A)(2)(a))