H.E.A. 1245, P.L. 16 Effective: July 1, 2017 Provides that a grandparent of a child sought to be adopted is entitled to notice of pending adoption proceedings if: (1) the grandparent has an existing right to petition for visitation; and (2) the grandparent's right to visitation will not be terminated after the adoption. The full law is available at: … [Read more...] about Notice of adoption to grandparents
Family
Access to identifying information
H.E.A. 1274, P.L. 190 Effective: §§1, 5-12 effective April 26, 2017; §2-4 effective July 1, 2017 Requires the State Registrar to search death certificates in the State Registrar's possession and the State and Territorial Exchange of Vital Events (STEVE) Exchange System if an eligible individual submits a request for the release of identifying information of a birth parent or ad … [Read more...] about Access to identifying information
Child in need of services
H.E.A. 1342, P.L. 249 Effective: July 1, 2017 Removes a rebuttable presumption that a child is a child in need of services if a child is born with: (1) fetal alcohol syndrome; (2) neonatal abstinence syndrome; or (3) any amount of a controlled substance or legend drug in the child's body; and there is evidence that a child's mother used a controlled substance or legend drug during … [Read more...] about Child in need of services
Domestic violence fatality review committee
H.E.A. 1516, P.L. 258 Effective: July 1, 2017 Removes the limit on the authority of a local domestic violence review team (local review team) to the review of fatalities when the person who commits domestic violence resulting in death is charged with a criminal offense that results in a final judgment or is deceased. Specifies that local review teams may review near fatalities. … [Read more...] about Domestic violence fatality review committee
Child neglect defense
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 246 sponsored by Rep. Carbaugh and Rep. Holdman on child neglect defense. This bill specifies that it is a defense to a claim of neglect of a dependent if the individual left the child with a person who is an emergency medical services provider or in a newborn safety device that meets the specified requirements under the Safe Haven Law. It also … [Read more...] about Child neglect defense