A Pennsylvania newspaper recently tackled a delicate but important issue in our state. There is a law on the books that addresses the care and well being of newborn children. Simply stated, the law permits a parent to leave a newborn at a Pennsylvania hospital without any repercussions. There are no questions that must be answered, and the thrust of the law is to protect a newborn infant from another fate. Those that are left are ultimately available for adoption.
Adoption between Pennsylvania and other states can be difficult
Adoption can be a challenging process for parents and children alike under the best of circumstances. Throw in the proverbial wrench of an interstate adoption and things can become even more complicated. Pennsylvania residents thinking about entering into an interstate adoption should be aware of the potential hurdles which could crop up as they enter into what may be for them uncharted territory.
Tenth anniversary of Pennsylvania same-sex parent adoption
A recent multi-family picnic celebrated the anniversary of a victory granting same-sex couples the right to adopt each other's children in Pennsylvania. The landmark lawsuit marked a five-year battle that went all the way to the state Supreme Court. By the end of this hard-fought case, same-sex parent adoption went from a dream to a reality.
Pennsylvania couples face pressure for same-sex parent adoption
Same-sex couples who are used to facing their own set of challenges when it comes to getting married may be surprised to find that some challenges are the same no matter what type of couple is involved. For instance, many parents want to know just when a newly-married couple is going to make them grandparents. For Pennsylvania couples who may have previously considered starting a family impossible, the idea of same-sex parent adoption might take some getting used to.
Pennsylvania to continue subsidies for adoption of foster kids
Many Pennsylvania foster parents continue to support their foster children beyond the age of 18. They say that many of their foster children simply aren't ready to be on their own, so they continue to support them because they care about them. However, prior to Pennsylvania's adoption of the federal 2008 Fostering Connections Act, those foster parents were not receiving subsidies for caring for foster children between the ages of 18 and 21.
Adoption tax credit set to expire at the end of the year
When considering pursuing an adoption, there are many things to look into. Among some of the factors a person might consider may be whether or not to seek an open adoption, adopting a child from abroad, or whether to adopt an older child. However, another factor to keep in mind may be the adoption tax credit.
An open infant adoption is the new normal
Residents in Pennsylvania thinking about adopting a child may be interested in the results of a recent survey. As many may know, it was once true that the birth parent and the adoptive parent typically had little or no contact in an infant adoption. However, the survey that was released in March shows that this is no longer the case. Indeed, the new normal is such that the birth parent often meets with the adoptive family prior to the adoption and may even pick the family as well.
