Bill > HB133

This bill amends Pennsylvania law concerning adoption and parental rights, primarily by establishing a new process for the reinstatement of parental rights. It allows former parents, whose rights were previously terminated either voluntarily or involuntarily, to petition the court to regain those rights under specific conditions, such as the child not being adopted or the adoptive placement failing. The bill also clarifies procedures for relinquishing parental rights to an adult intending to adopt and for filing petitions for involuntary termination of parental rights, allowing attorneys to file these petitions on behalf of parties. Importantly, it introduces a new chapter detailing the requirements for filing a petition for reinstatement, including notice to all relevant parties, the possibility of court-appointed counsel for the child and former parent, and specific criteria the court must consider, such as the child's best interests and the former parent's ability to provide care. The bill also outlines the court's order process, including timelines for decisions and provisions for support liability.