House Committee Begins Hearings on Adoption Modernization Act

COLUMBUS—The House Families and Aging Committee today began hearings on House Bill 5, the Adoption Modernization Act, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth). 

The Adoption Modernization Act is priority legislation that modernizes Ohio’s adoption process and prioritizes the best interest of the child.

“The state of Ohio has over 3,000 children looking for a family to call their own,” said Ray during sponsor testimony. "Modernizing the adoption process is a step in the right direction for our state.”

Highlights of the bill are as follows:

• Provides support for expecting mothers by increasing financial support from $3,000 to $6,000 for living expenses;
• Expedites kinship care by allowing time spent in the foster home to be counted towards the six month waiting period for foster to adopt scenarios; and
• Clarifies the Ohio Revised code to help streamline the adoption process.

According to data published by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, there are currently almost 15,000 children in foster care statewide and 3,500 awaiting adoption.

The bill will continue to receive hearings in the House Families and Aging Committee.