Bill > H370

This bill enacts two key pieces of legislation related to child custody and adoption: the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act and Article Three of the Uniform Unregulated Child Custody Transfer Act. The first part establishes comprehensive legal measures to prevent child abduction, allowing courts to issue prevention orders based on specific risk factors such as previous abduction attempts, threats, unusual financial activities, or strong ties to countries with limited child return mechanisms. The act provides detailed guidelines for courts to assess abduction risks, including factors like immigration status, passport applications, and potential harm to the child. It empowers courts to implement preventive measures such as travel restrictions, passport controls, and even ex parte warrants to take physical custody of a child if an imminent abduction risk exists. The second part focuses on adoption procedures, requiring agencies to provide prospective adoptive parents with comprehensive information about a child's background, including medical history, cultural context, potential behavioral challenges, and available support services. This section aims to better prepare adoptive parents for potential challenges by mandating detailed guidance about the child's history, possible trauma, and resources for addressing adjustment issues. The bill becomes effective at different stages, with the Child Abduction Prevention Act taking effect on October 1, 2025, and the adoption information provisions becoming effective 60 days after the law is enacted.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H370