HB 1162 (2020)

Expands the categories of individuals eligible to adopt and clarifies adoption and parenting laws for unmarried couples who share parenting responsibilities and for families formed through assisted reproduction. The Senate amended the bill to incorporate several other pieces of legislation related to child protection. For example, the amended bill provides legal representation for children with risk factors and who are placed out of home (similar to HB 1249) and expands the authority of the Office of the Child Advocate to oversee programs and services to children (similar to SB 295).  The House must approve these changes.