BIRTH PARENTS - The consent of the father is required before an adoption can be approved. If the father's paternity is in question, he mush file with the putative father registry no later than 15 days after the birth of the child in order to retain his rights. Whenever an authorized agency or court requests the names and addresses of men on the putative father registry, the department must provide information within 24 hours.

Birth parents may place a child for adoption with a licensed child placement agency or any suitable party for up to one year. Children cannot be placed with prospective adoptive parents without a court order. Both parents shall have the right to legal representation and payment of reasonable legal fees incurred throughout the adoption process.

ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND FOSTER PARENTS - Assessments of prospective adoptive parents no longer need to be submitted at least ten days prior to the scheduled hearing of the adoptive petition. A foster parent or legal custodian of a child may file a petition with the court for transfer and termination of parental rights. Current foster parents and legal guardians are given the right to testify at all hearings regarding the child.

GRANDPARENTS - Visitation rights for grandparents are expanded through this act to include times when the child is adopted by a stepparent, another grandparent, or other blood relative.

ATTORNEYS AND THE COURTS - Attorneys representing a party in the adoption process can no longer act as witnesses in the proceedings. During hearings to determine whether an adoption shall be finalized, the courts are no longer required to ascertain whether allegations within adoption petitions are true.

JOHN MESSMER