Bill > HB1772

This bill modifies provisions related to subsidies for adopted children by allowing the Children's Division to grant subsidies to cover legal expenses for prospective adoptive parents upon the successful completion of adoption proceedings. These grants, available from January 1, 2027, for five years, can cover attorney's fees, filing fees, and other costs associated with amending a child's birth records, with a maximum of $2,500 for uncontested adoptions and $4,000 for contested adoptions, plus an additional $500 for guardian ad litem fees, all billed at a rate of $175 per hour. The bill also clarifies that subsidy payments can be suspended or redirected if a child is adjudicated dependent and removed from parental custody, and it outlines the terms of written subsidy agreements, including the obligation of parents to report changes affecting eligibility and the child's Medicaid eligibility.