Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: February 18, 2009
Senator Steve Russell
Bill to Require Full Disclosure of Adoption Fees Heads
to Full Senate
A measure to create more uniformity in adoptions
and ensure full disclosure of fees has cleared its first major
hurdle in the Senate. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell,
was approved by the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Russell, R-Oklahoma
City, said that as an adoptive parent, it was an area of law of
special concern to him.
In Oklahoma, prospective adoptive parents can utilize public and
private agencies as well as attorney-assisted adoptions. Russell
said while those are all good options, a 2006 grand jury investigation
uncovered a number of abuses that need to be addressed, including
some cases of “adoption” fees being used for personal
vehicles, computers and other items.
“My legislation requires full disclosure of all fees, so
that adoptive parents know exactly what is required up front and
what all the fees are for,” Russell said. “We need
to make sure we have a uniform standard for adoptions. Under current
law, some things, like home studies, can be waived. Procedures
aimed at ensuring the safety of the adoptive child should be enforced.”
SB 1029 would also ensure parents have a full disclosure of all
state laws dealing with adoption as well as regulations impacting
the adoption of children of Native American ancestry.
“Making sure all adoption laws and fees are completely transparent
will improve the process and help eliminate the potential for
abuse,” Russell said. “This is simply good public
policy.”
Russell’s legislation now moves to the full Senate for further
consideration.
For more information contact:
Sen. Russell's Office: 405-521-5618
