summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to contracts for postadoption contact; amending s. 63.0427, F.S.; authorizing certain parties to enter into a written contract for postadoption contact which permits contact between an adopted child and his or her birth parent and siblings; providing that certain contract provisions are unenforceable; requiring that a postadoption contract include certain statements; requiring that the contract be filed with, approved by, and entered into a certain final judgment by the court under certain circumstances; providing that the continuing validity of the adoption is not contingent upon compliance with the terms of the contract; authorizing and providing requirements for enforcement, modification, or termination of the contract; prohibiting enforcement of the contract in certain circumstances; providing for automatic termination of the contract in certain circumstances; amending s. 63.102, F.S.; including postadoption contract actions in the actions for which the clerk of the court shall assess one filing fee; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a legal framework for voluntary postadoption contact agreements between adoptive parents, biological parents, and adopted children aged 12 and older. The legislation allows these parties to create a written contract that permits continued contact and communication, such as visitation, written correspondence, phone calls, and information sharing, until the adopted child reaches 18 years old. The contract must include specific statements emphasizing that non-compliance does not invalidate the adoption and cannot affect child custody. To be enforceable, the contract must be filed with and approved by the court during adoption proceedings. The bill provides detailed provisions for modifying or terminating the contract, with the child's best interests being the primary consideration. Certain contract provisions are deemed unenforceable, such as those permitting contact with legally restrained individuals or impeding the adoptive family's ability to relocate. The contract automatically terminates when the adopted child turns 18, and during periods when adoptive parents temporarily lose custody, the contract cannot be enforced. Additionally, the bill modifies court filing fee regulations to include postadoption contract actions under a single filing fee. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (S)
Last Action
Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/558 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/558/BillText/c1/HTML |
| Analysis - Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/558/Analyses/2025s00558.cf.PDF |
| https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/558/Amendment/435036/HTML | |
| Analysis - Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/558/Analyses/2025s00558.pre.cf.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/558/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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