HB 6229 Summary

• Allows two unmarried persons to jointly petition to adopt a child, enabling second parent adoption by unmarried couples.

• Permits married individuals to adopt without their spouse's participation if all interested parties consent or if the court finds good cause or best interest of the child.

• Changes language from "shall" to "must" and "pursuant to" to "under" or "according to" throughout adoption statutes for consistency.

• Clarifies that a person having legal custody of a child can petition for adoption jointly with their spouse without requiring termination of the custodial parent's rights.

• Effective 90 days after enactment.