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I thought things had recently changed so I went to the local resolve website and found a link to this info:
House Approves True's Bill Setting 20-Day Time Limit For Birth Parents to Revoke Consent for Adoption
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
In a move that bolsters the rights of adoptive parents in Pennsylvania, the House today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Katie True (R-41) that limits the time in which a birth mother or father can revoke their consent for adoption to 20 days after that consent was given.
House Bill 1423, which amends the Pennsylvania Adoption Act, passed this afternoon by a 189-8 vote. It now moves on to the Senate for consideration.
"This certainly is a significant step in reforming Pennsylvania’s archaic adoption laws," True said. "It’s really a long-overdue victory for adoptive parents, those loving people who are willing to open their hearts and share their lives with children who need a nurturing home."
Currently, state law does not define a clear revocation period. The existing statute provides that a consent to an adoption may only be revoked prior to either the entry of a decree of termination of parental rights or the entry of a decree for adoption, whichever occurs earlier. As it stands, the limitation is indeterminate and varies from county to county.
"Because of this, adopting a baby in Pennsylvania can be a heartbreaking process," True said. "We have situations in this state where adoptive parents take a child into their home, only to have the child taken away from them six months or even a year later, after the birth mother reconsiders her decision."
True said passage of House Bill 1423 is "extremely satisfying" because she has been involved with the issue, as well as overall adoption reform since 1993.
"I’ve received numerous letters and have had many conversations with people in my district and around the state who lament Pennsylvania’s adoption laws," True said. "They have been adamant in encouraging me to champion adoption reform in this Commonwealth.
"Recently, the issue has become more personal with me," she added. "My son and his wife are in the process of trying to adopt a child here, and I’ve observed some of the obstacles they’ve encountered. They’ve told me they’re hoping their baby will come from any state but Pennsylvania."
Under True’s legislation, a birth parent who has given his or her consent to an adoption may challenge the validity of that consent after the 20-day revocation period expires only if he or she can prove by clear and convincing evidence that consent was given under fraud or duress. In those cases, a person may challenge validity within 60 days after the birth of the child or execution of the consent, whichever occurs later, or 30 days after the entry of the adoption decree.
Rep. Katie True
41st District
Hope this helps.
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