BILL AS INTRODUCED H.7
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VT LEG #378723 v.1
H.7 1
Introduced by Representative LaLonde of South Burlington 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Adoption; termination of parental rights 5
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to reinstate the 6
ability of a court in an adoption proceeding to consider whether a person 7
asserting parental rights has made reasonable and consistent payments to 8
support the minor child when determining whether termination of parental 9
rights is in the best interests of the child. 10
An act relating to termination of parental rights in an adoption proceeding 11
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 12
Sec. 1. 15A V.S.A. § 3-504 is amended to read: 13
§ 3-504. GROUNDS FOR TERMINATING RELATIONSHIP OF PARENT 14
AND CHILD 15
(a) If a respondent answers or appears at the hearing and asserts parental 16
rights, the court shall proceed with the hearing expeditiously. If the court 17
finds, upon clear and convincing evidence, that any one of the following 18
grounds exists and that termination is in the best interests of the minor, the 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.7
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VT LEG #378723 v.1
court shall order the termination of any parental relationship of the respondent 1
to the minor: 2
* * * 3
(2) In the case of a minor over six months of age at the time the petition 4
is filed, the respondent did not exercise parental responsibility for a period of 5
at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition. In making 6
a determination under this subdivision, the court shall consider all relevant 7
factors, which may include the respondent’s failure to: 8
(A) make reasonable and consistent payments, in accordance with the 9
respondent’s financial means, for the support of the minor, although legally 10
obligated to do so; 11
(B) regularly communicate or visit with the minor; or 12
(C) during any time the minor was not in the physical custody of the 13
other parent, manifest an ability and willingness to assume legal and physical 14
custody of the minor. 15
* * * 16
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 17
This act shall take effect on passage. 18