Ohio House Sends Adoption Modernization Act to Ohio Governor

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred with amendments to House Bill 5, the Adoption Modernization Act, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth). 

Key provisions of the bill are as follows:

• Increases financial support for expecting mothers who plan to place their child up for adoption, supporting the health and wellbeing of the mother and child.
• Expedites kinship care by allowing time spent in the home of a family member to be counted towards the six month waiting period before adoption. This language mirrors current Ohio law for foster to adopt scenarios.
• Clarifies the Ohio Revised Code to help streamline the adoption process.
• Includes additional safeguards and protections to ensure the safety of adopted children. 

“The Adoption Modernization Act will improve the adoption process for both birth parents and adopting parents – a “win-win” for Ohio’s children,” said Ray. 

According to data published by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, there are currently almost 15,000 Ohio children living outside of the care of their parents. About 3,000 of them are awaiting adoption. 

The Adoption Modernization Act now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature.