AdoptionBlogger.Com

Florida: Bill to eliminate court costs for grandparent adoption.

Senate bill 254 would eliminate court costs and reduce the homestudy requirements for grandparents seeking to adopt their grandchildren.

http://www.miaminewsrecord.com/articles/2009/02/12/news/doc498c9a2fd4b18717112392.txt

Michigan: gay adoption from illinois recognized in michigan

michigan court held that adoption by a lesbian couple in illinois is valid in michigan based on the constitution of the united states.  thus, the michigan court system should preside over custody disputes.  this is newsworthy as the state of michigan bars gay adoption.

http://www.wandtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9879844&nav=menu589_1

West Virginia: "Family" Policy Council of West Virginia Trying to Stop Same-Sex Adoption

A same-sex couple fostered a newborn born to a drug addicted mother.  After the court found her unfit, the family sought to adopt the child together.  State code only provides for adoption by married couples or single persons.  The State forwarded a plan that the same-sex couple, though not legally married, would be preferred as adoptive parents.  Fayette County Circuit Court Judge Paul M. Blake Jr. held that the family had too many children and that unmarried couples could not adopt together under State law.

The family is appealing the decision scheduled to be heard March 11.

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=50940

Australia penalizes surrogates who assist same-sex families.

the government of australia claims that a surrogate from new zealand is financially responsible for child support of the child that she had for a same-sex male australian couple living in queensland. 

in new zealand and parts of australia, gay male couples are unable to adopt and the surrogate's name remains on the child's birth certificate.  

in the instant case, the child's biological father and partner became legal guardians (not an adoption) and gained child support benefits from the australian government enabling the biological father to stay home and care for the child as parents in australia are entitled to do.  the rub is that the austalian authorities than asked the surrogate to contribute.  she obviously refused.

this will cause a chilling effect as gay couples are unable to adopt in new zealand and most of australia and choose surrogacy as their only legal means of starting a family.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/01/24/1232471656508.html

West Virginia: "Traditional" married vs. same-sex couple

Supreme Court agreed to review decision by West Virginia Judge who held on November 12, 2008 that the State had failed to seek a "traditional most family-like setting with a mother and father" after the placement with the birthfamily failed. 

Baby was placed via foster care with same-sex couple.  After the birthparent's parental rights were terminated, the Judge refused to allow the child to be adopted by the couple.

 http://www.dailymail.com/News/200812110455

Arkansas bans "unmarried couple" adoption

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_on_el_ge/arkansas_adoption_1

US News & World Report Article - Courts vs. Legislature

Article suggests that culture war on Same-Sex Adoption may surface: 

3 States Against Same-Sex Couple Adoption:  Florida, Utah, Mississippi

12 State For Same-Sex Couple Adoption

35 States - Up to Courts - Uncertainty

Some gay adoption advocates suggest handling cases on a case-by-case basis rather than working it through the leglislature.

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/10/31/emerging-gay-adoption-fight-shares-battle-lines-of-same-sex-marriage-debate.html

Barriers to same-sex adoption harm children:

http://outandaboutnewspaper.com/article.php?id=2992

Federal Foster Care Subsidies = Forever supervision?

two children died under care of foster-adoptive mother who received $2,400 a month in subsidies even after her adoption was finalized. 

the main issue presented is should the subsidy money come with superivison strings attached?  should a legal adoptive parent stil have to undergo supervision of her family in order to continue to receive the subsidy?

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/08/AR2008100802809.html?sid=ST2008100803864&s_pos=

Florida: gill v. dcf

second case (on heels of successful key west case brought by same plaintiffs) challenging florida law prohibiting gay adoption and seeking to adopt two-half brothers fostered by couple since 2004.

  http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/breaking-news/story/708775.html

New Federal Adoption Incentives (to replace exisiting incentives expiring 9-30-08)

congress is seeking to renew (expiring 9-30-08) and expand adoption incentives.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000002953357