Bill > S06389

This bill aims to ensure that unmarried fathers whose children have been removed by the state and placed into foster care do not lose their parental rights without a full and fair opportunity to a hearing regarding their fitness to care for them. Specifically, the bill: - Expands the list of unmarried fathers who must be provided notice and an opportunity to be heard in adoption, surrender, and termination of parental rights proceedings involving their children. This includes fathers who have been adjudicated as the child's father, have filed a petition to establish paternity, have executed an acknowledgment of parentage, or have filed a notice of intent to claim parentage. - Allows judges or surrogates to order notice to be given to these additional individuals in judicial surrender and extra-judicial surrender proceedings, rather than requiring such notice. - Requires information about these additional individuals to be provided when a parent executes a surrender instrument or transfers care and custody of a child. - Repeals a provision that previously limited the ability of certain individuals to appear and present evidence in termination of parental rights proceedings. Overall, the bill aims to protect the parental rights of unmarried fathers whose children have been placed in foster care, ensuring they have a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate their fitness as parents.

Education, Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S6389