Bill > HB133

This bill amends Pennsylvania's domestic relations laws to establish a new legal process for reinstatement of parental rights after they have been terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. The bill creates a comprehensive framework allowing certain parties - including the child, the agency, or the former parent - to petition the court to restore parental rights under specific conditions. Key requirements include that at least one year must have passed since the termination of parental rights, the child has not been adopted or is no longer in the care of the adoptive parent, and the court must find by clear and convincing evidence that reinstatement is in the child's best interests. The bill establishes detailed procedural requirements for filing such a petition, including mandatory prehearing conferences, representation for the child and potentially the former parent, and specific hearing procedures. For children 12 and older, their consent is required, and for younger children, the court must consider their preferences and ability to express them. The bill also provides guidelines for obtaining consents from adoptive parents, sets timeframes for court actions, and specifies the legal implications of reinstating parental rights, such as restoring all legal rights and responsibilities to the parent while preventing retroactive child support liability for the period rights were terminated.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=133