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I recently got a link in an adoption news letter that lists the states that support open adoption agreements between birthparents and adoptive parents. The address is below:
[url]http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/laws/coopadopt/index.cfm[/url]
I've seen so many posts from adoptive parents and birthparents alike asking which states have a policy and it has always been hard to find answers. Hope both groups find the information helpful.
As a (hopefully) soon to be aparent I fully believe in and support open adoptions. Hopefully more states will be added to this list in the near future!
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Being a resident of one of those 18 states I can tell you that there are enough loopholes in the "open adoption" law to make it almost unenforcable. Example: Our adoption agreement with M's birthmother clearly states that if she ever brings legal action against us the contact agreement is null and void. Translation: If we decided to cut contact with her, her only legal recourse would be to file a civil suit against us. But in doing so she would be nullifying the original agreement that she signed. She might be awarded some money (though doubtful) but there would no longer be a legally binding contact agreement.
I have a question for anyone who might care to respond. While we can be held to civil penalties for willfully violating our contact agreement, I wonder what consequences should be for birthparents who choose to ignore most of the available visits that they have? Any thoughts?
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