Maine 2023-2024 Regular Session

Maine House Bill LD1906

Introduced
5/9/23  
Refer
5/9/23  
Refer
5/9/23  
Engrossed
6/20/23  
Enrolled
6/21/23  

Caption

An Act to Enable Confirmatory Adoption

Impact

The enactment of LD1906 is poised to modernize adoption laws in Maine by specifically addressing the needs of families utilizing assisted reproduction. By simplifying the confirmation of parentage for children born through these means, the bill seeks to remove legal ambiguities surrounding parental rights and responsibilities. The measures included in the bill also ensure that the consent of donors is not required for confirmatory adoption, which could facilitate faster and more accessible adoption processes in these specific cases.

Summary

LD1906, also known as the Act to Enable Confirmatory Adoption, introduces a legal framework in the state of Maine for confirmatory adoptions. This legislation allows for a streamlined process for individuals who are parents or presumed parents of children born through assisted reproduction to adopt these children. The bill outlines specific conditions, such as the necessity of a birth certificate and attestations of consent from the petitioners, while also exempting them from certain procedural requirements that typically apply to standard adoption processes.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment around LD1906 appears to be supportive, particularly among advocacy groups focused on reproductive rights and family law. Proponents argue that the bill champions the rights of parents in non-traditional family structures and provides essential legal clarity. However, some concerns were raised by individuals advocating for donor rights, questioning the implications of not requiring donor consent in confirming adoptions.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding LD1906 center around the absence of donor consent stipulations and how they may affect the rights of donors. While the intention is to streamline the adoption process for intended parents, critics argue that this could diminish the agency of donors and complicate future parentage claims. The balance between protecting the rights of biological donors and enabling parental rights through confirmatory adoption remains a key focus of ongoing legislative discussions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

ME SB417

Confirmatory Adoptions

ME A04880

Establishes confirmatory adoptions providing for the adoption of children born as a result of assisted reproduction; allows for more than two persons to be named parents of a child; establishes presumed parentage and provides for the challenge and adjudication thereof; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.

ME S09748

Establishes confirmatory adoptions providing for the adoption of children born as a result of assisted reproduction; allows for more than two persons to be named parents of a child; establishes presumed parentage and provides for the challenge and adjudication thereof; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.

ME S04555

Establishes confirmatory adoptions providing for the adoption of children born as a result of assisted reproduction; allows for more than two persons to be named parents of a child; establishes presumed parentage and provides for the challenge and adjudication thereof; repeals certain provisions of the domestic relations law and the family court act relating thereto.

ME S10468

Establishes confirmatory adoptions allowing adoption and parentage judgements for a child with more than two parents; recognizes functional parents as legal parents; allows "de facto parents" to get a court order confirming their parentage; grants all legal parents standing to seek visitation or custody of their children.

ME HB2088

Relating To Adoptions.

ME SB2564

Relating To Adoptions.

ME AB227

Revises provisions governing adoption. (BDR 11-928)

ME H4797

Validating a conveyance of land and authorizing the recording of a confirmatory deed in the city of Marlborough

ME SB0103

ADOPTION ACT

Similar Bills

NM SB417

Confirmatory Adoptions

NY S04555

Establishes confirmatory adoptions providing for the adoption of children born as a result of assisted reproduction; allows for more than two persons to be named parents of a child; establishes presumed parentage and provides for the challenge and adjudication thereof; repeals certain provisions of the domestic relations law and the family court act relating thereto.

NY A04880

Establishes confirmatory adoptions providing for the adoption of children born as a result of assisted reproduction; allows for more than two persons to be named parents of a child; establishes presumed parentage and provides for the challenge and adjudication thereof; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.

NY S09748

Establishes confirmatory adoptions providing for the adoption of children born as a result of assisted reproduction; allows for more than two persons to be named parents of a child; establishes presumed parentage and provides for the challenge and adjudication thereof; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.

NY S10468

Establishes confirmatory adoptions allowing adoption and parentage judgements for a child with more than two parents; recognizes functional parents as legal parents; allows "de facto parents" to get a court order confirming their parentage; grants all legal parents standing to seek visitation or custody of their children.

IA HF767

A bill for an act concerning private sector employee drug testing. (Formerly HSB 26.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

NV AB227

Revises provisions governing adoption. (BDR 11-928)

IA SF110

A bill for an act concerning private sector employee drug testing.(Formerly SSB 1014.)