Hartzler Works to Protect Adoptions

Statement

WASHINGTON -- Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) today introduced the Protecting Adoption Act, a bipartisan effort to protect and facilitate domestic adoptions and ensure a birthfather's rights are protected so adoptions remain secure from future interruptions.

"Adoption is a wonderful, loving way to form a family," Hartzler said, "but the process needs to be secure from future interruption. Birthfathers need a transparent system where they can assert their right to parent if they choose. My bill creates a National Responsible Father Registry and encourages states with existing registries to link to the national system. This empowers moms and dads to take responsibility of their rights as parents by allowing birthfathers to proactively assert their rights to parent by registering their intent to do so. And, if they are not interested in parenting, it allows the child to be adopted into a loving home, free from worry of a future interruption.

"Innocent children need loving homes, not court proceedings and paperwork," Hartzler commented. "When children, moms, and dads are united through adoption, they have the peace and joy of knowing they are a forever family. The Protecting Adoption Act helps bring that peace and joy."

Congresswoman Hartzler represents Missouri's Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She serves on the house Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees.

Source