FL H0673

Redefines "abandonment" to include failure to establish or maintain substantial and positive relationships with a child through frequent contact, visitation, or communication, and specifies that paternity acknowledgement does not limit the time period for determining abandonment.

Makes adoption consent valid, binding, and enforceable when a parent consents to adoption placement while a minor child is under Department of Children and Family Services supervision in a dependency case, even before parental rights are terminated.

Requires courts to determine whether a change of child placement is in the child's best interests (rather than whether it is "appropriate") and establishes eight specific factors courts must consider and weigh, including permanency, bonding, stability, sibling relationships, and the child's preferences.

Allows courts to establish reasonable requirements for transfer of custody, including transition periods, and requires adoption entities to provide monthly supervision reports and keep the dependency court informed every 90 days until adoption finalization.

Requires courts to provide written notice to biological parents of their right to participate in private adoption plans, including notice of the eight factors considered in best interests determinations, in all dependency proceedings after reunification is deemed unviable.