Bill to Require Full Disclosure of Adoption Fees Heads to Full Senate

HAT TIP to Okiecampaigns.

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.

And So It Begins

Yes, it has been a month. I'm sorry. Hopefully this month will be better. I'm sure there will be plenty to discuss as we head into primary season, which officially began today. This week is the week that anyone wishing to file as a candidate for political office in the state of Oklahoma is to do so. In fact, I already have a blog in the works detailing a local race. Right now we have a state race that is, in my opinion, decisive in the future of the Republican Party in the state of Oklahoma. I will get to that another time, though. As is stands, here is my official list of primary candidate endorsements for where I live. (I can't keep an eye on the whole state, sorry). Blogs explaining each one will be forthcoming (God willing). State Representative Dist. 91 - Mike Reynolds - incumbent State Senator Dist. 45 - LTC Steve Russell (Ret) US Senator - Jim Inhoffe - incumbent Corporation Commissioner - Dana Murphy Cleveland County Clerk - Kerrie Hudson Cleveland County Sheriff - David Williams Once the information is made available I'll link each of their websites to my list on the right. I have visited extensively with each candidate personally and am thoroughly convinced of their qualifications for their respective positions.