Lets Courts Free Destitute Children for Adoption
New York · S07920 · Introduced May 14, 2025
Why it matters
Children in this situation could be freed for adoption sooner, and agencies would have clear authority to consent to their adoption. Siblings would be kept together or in regular contact when possible.
What it does
- Lets a court free a destitute child for adoption and give custody to the local social services commissioner
- Applies only when both parents are dead, or one is dead and the other cannot consent or get notice
- Requires the court to set a permanency hearing date for a child freed for adoption
- Directs placement with siblings, or regular contact with them, unless that is against their best interests
- Lets authorized agencies and public welfare officers consent to these adoptions
Status
Latest action (2026-10-21): PRINT NUMBER 7920A
About this bill
Would let family courts free a destitute child for adoption when both parents are dead or cannot consent. Social services agencies would then consent to the adoption.
Allows the court to enter an order regarding a destitute minor freeing the child for adoption and granting guardianship and custody to the commissioner of social services for the purposes of consenting to an adoption; authorizes agencies, commissioners of public welfare and city public welfare officers to consent to such adoptions.
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Child welfare groups would likely say children without living parents need permanent homes sooner. Clear consent rules could speed up adoptions for these children.
💬 The case against
Some parents' rights groups would likely say freeing a child for adoption is a serious step. They may worry that parents could lose rights without enough chances to respond.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
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