Huizenga, Smucker proposed bipartisan bill to improve adoption process

U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) on Nov. 30 offered legislation that would protect the rights of all parties to an adoption proceeding by connecting existing state registries and ensuring timely notifications so that birth parents are informed of legal proceedings if they choose to assert their parental rights.

Rep. Huizenga and Rep. Smucker are original cosponsors of the Protecting All Parents and Adoptees (PAPA) Act, H.R. 6529, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) to establish a national registry that would link state and tribal father registries to facilitate the timely notification of adoption proceedings to out-of-state possible biological fathers, according to the text of the bill.

“I am proud to team up with Rep. Kuster and Rep. Smucker to remove barriers from the adoption process and connect children with a safe, loving, forever home,” Rep. Huizenga said. “This bipartisan legislation takes important steps to respect both privacy and parental rights while protecting victims of domestic violence.”

“Children flourish in strong and loving families,” added Rep. Smucker. “I am pleased to join Reps. Kuster and Huizenga in introducing this legislation to strengthen the adoption process by increasing cooperation among the states by establishing a National Responsible Father Registry.”

Currently, 37 states have registries that permit fathers to seek notification of an adoption proceeding, however no system exists to notify them if the proceeding occurs across state lines, resulting in delays that may prevent children from being in permanent homes, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. 

Specifically, H.R. 6529 would link state father registries in an effort to take the burden off of women to identify fathers and to protect a woman’s privacy, especially in cases of rape or domestic violence, the summary says.

Additionally, the bill would protect the parental rights of fathers by enabling them to register in one state to obtain notice of a proceeding in a different state, and would enable children to find a permanent home as quickly as possible, states the summary.

“As an adoption attorney for 25 years, I saw firsthand the need to develop a comprehensive, National Responsible Father Registry to protect the rights of all parents while facilitating a reliable, efficient adoption process,” Rep. Kuster said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to improve coordination between states to protect the rights and dignity of parents, adoptive families, and children.”

The National Council For Adoption endorsed the measure.