Bill > H0007

This bill proposes an amendment to Vermont Statutes Title 15A, Section 3-504, which governs the termination of parental rights in adoption proceedings. Specifically, the bill reinstates language that allows courts to consider whether a parent asserting parental rights has made reasonable and consistent financial support payments when determining if terminating parental rights is in the best interests of the child. Under the amended law, when a parent contests an adoption and the child is over six months old, the court can evaluate various factors to decide parental rights, now explicitly including whether the parent has made support payments consistent with their financial means. By adding this provision, the bill provides courts with an additional criterion to assess a parent's commitment and involvement in a child's life during adoption proceedings. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage, allowing courts to apply this standard in future adoption cases.

Justice

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.7