Oklahoma
State Senate
For Immediate Release: February 5, 2009
Sen. Kenneth Corn
Senate Committee Approves Measure to Exempt
Grandparents from Adoption Costs
The Senate Judiciary Committee this week approved
a measure that would exempt an adoptive grandparent from any court
costs associated with adoption.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, author of the legislation, said
Senate Bill 254 would remove another impediment for grandparents
seeking to provide good homes for children.
“The family is the foundation of our society,”
said Corn, D-Poteau. “Children need guidance and love, and
grandparents seeking to provide a stable home for children should
be able to do so without punitive costs. This legislation would
remove that roadblock from adoptive grandparents.”
SB 254 would also waive pre-placement home study
requirements in certain adoption cases if the petitioning grandparent
has no record of felony convictions, domestic violence or protective
orders.
“Caring grandparents willing and able to
meet the challenges of raising grandchildren are a real blessing
to our communities,” Corn said. “I’m pleased
that the Judiciary Committee approved this measure.”