Bill calling for more information in adoption process advances

Senators voted to advance a bill Feb. 10 that would give adoptive parents more access to information about children being considered for adoption.

LB94, introduced by Omaha Senator Gwen Howard, would require that adoptive parents have access to a child’s file at the state Department of Health and Human Services after the filing of a petition for adoption and before the entry of a decree of adoption for a child who is committed to HHS.

Frequently information is omitted from case files, Howard said, which can lead to mistrust and can result in families seeking to return children to the department’s custody because they were not prepared for issues that arise.

LB94 would ensure that families have all available information when adopting a child, she said, and would prepare families who take in the state’s most vulnerable children.

A Judiciary Committee amendment, adopted 36-0, would allow the department to withhold information in the case file that would violate state or federal statute.

The amendment also would require informing adoptive parents that they can review the child’s file at any time following finalization of an adoption by making a written request to the department.

LB94 advanced from general file on a 38-0 vote.