finally.

Big News in the world of Adoption

This came from a fellow adoptive parent’s blog: (I’ve added a few things in italics.)

People, this is HUGE. Follow this link to read a press release about a bill introduced in both the Senate and the House last week. If this bill passes it will remove the HIV waiver, the TB testing and the need to get a COC (certificate of citizenship – which is expensive and time consuming). Long story short, right now parents wanting to adopt an child that is HIV+ need to fill out extra paperwork and jump through way too many hoops to bring them home. Also, all children need to be TB tested before receiving their visa allowing them into the US. Basically it will allow our children to be treated like just that, our children. While they are recognized as our children they treated as though they are immigrants. This bill will allow them the same rights as children who are born overseas to American parents – rights such as being allowed to run for President and to serve in the US military. They won’t be denied scholarships or passports or at the most extreme not being deported for minor juvenile offenses (yes, that has happened). PLUS, and for me this is a biggie (I agree with Amanda on this – changing the age limit is HUGE. Children aging out of the system before they are adopted is an incredibly sad and scary situation for them to be in.) – children would be eligible for adoption up to age 18 (right now it’s 16 with younger siblings).

Once the bill is closer to a vote I will be posting here asking EVERYONE (that means you) to please, please contact your Senators and Representatives insisting on their support.

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