ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 306
BY REPRESENTATIVE HILFERTY
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to study and issue a report of its
findings regarding changing the period of time for finalizing an adoption from one
year to six months in order to more quickly provide children with permanent homes
and families.
WHEREAS, Children's Code Articles 1233 and 1238 require that the child being
adopted live in the adopting parent's home for an entire year prior to a court granting a final
decree of adoption; and
WHEREAS, many other states require a shorter period, such as six months, before
a final adoption decree is rendered by a court; and
WHEREAS, providing a permanent home and family for a child is of utmost
importance for the child's best interest and development; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana values adoption as a tool paramount to the establishment of
the family unit; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana recognizes the importance of placing children in loving,
stable homes without unnecessary delay; and
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives is interested in investigating whether
adoptions may be streamlined without compromising the integrity of the adoption process.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana State Law Institute to
study the issue of changing the period of time for finalizing an adoption from one year to six
months and to review other states' laws with respect to the period of time required for
finalizing adoptions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Law Institute shall issue a
report of its findings to the Legislature of Louisiana prior to February 1, 2020, specifically
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including in the report a summary of the period of time required for the finalization of
adoptions in other states.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
president of the Louisiana State Law Institute.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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