A New Mexico legislative committee has passed a measure that would give unmarried couples the right to adopt. The Public Affairs panel passed the measure with a 5  4 vote.

"Despite a 54 vote by the Public Affairs panel, the measure must still pass the Judiciary Committee and a recommendation was made that it be heard by yet another committee," the Alamogordo (NM) Daily News reported. "The Senate gallery was packed and dozens of people on both sides of the issue jockeyed for seats on the floor to present their arguments to the committee members."

Most lawmakers agree that the bill has a good chance of passing the House, but will have trouble in the Senate. No date is set for the next round of voting.

Labels: domestic partners, unmarried couples

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has reiterated his opposition to a state law that prevents unmarried couples from adopting children, but he stopped short of calling for the law to be overturned. Associated Press writer Andrew DeMillo reported the governors comments in a Nov. 4 article:

Beebe says he's concerned about the impact that an Arkansas law banning unmarried couples from becoming foster or adoptive parents is having on children who need good homes.

Beebe told reporters Wednesday that he's not proposing a repeal of the initiated act voters approved a year ago, but said he's still opposed to the measure. Beebe said he still thinks foster care and adoptions should be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Department of Human Services officials said they haven't studied whether the ban is limiting the number of homes that are available for children. More than a dozen families have sued the state seeking to overturn the ban.

Labels: laws, adoption rights, unmarried couples

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Butler County, Ohio's adoption policy is a source of controversy because it does something that the state adoption laws don't: It gives preference to married couples.

The conflict, according to the four-page opinion signed ... by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Roger Gates, is that the Butler County rule adds a line that would put married couples before single parents, unmarried couples, and same-sex couples in adoption cases. Even though these groups would not be excluded from adopting ... the rule does place a priority on placing children with married couples. (Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer)

The policy, which was quietly enacted by outgoing agency Director Michael Fox, was suspended in late March pending a legal review.

Labels: adoption rights, same-sex couples, single_parenting, unmarried couples, controversy

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments