More information provided in adoption process

Senators gave final approval March 4 to a bill that gives adoptive parents more access to information about children being considered for adoption.

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

The department may withhold information in a case file that would violate state or federal statute.

The bill also requires that adoptive parents be informed that they may review a child’s file at any time following finalization of an adoption by making a written request to the department.

LB94 passed on a 38-0 vote.