MN HF4409

Courts and agencies cannot deny adoption to blind prospective parents solely based on blindness; any objection must be supported by clear and convincing evidence of specific parent behaviors endangering child safety or health.

Blind parents who face adoption denial must be offered the opportunity to use supportive parenting services to address concerns, with the right to a court hearing to review the need for continuing services.

Courts cannot file child protection petitions against blind parents based solely on blindness; petitions must demonstrate specific behaviors endangering the child, and courts must offer supportive parenting services before removing a child from a blind parent's home.

Courts cannot deny or restrict custody or parenting time for blind parents due to blindness alone; objections require clear and convincing evidence of specific dangerous parent behaviors, with blind parents entitled to demonstrate how supportive services can address concerns.

Defines "blindness" as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction, a visual field limited to 20 degrees or less, or a degenerative condition expected to result in these conditions, and "supportive parenting services" as services using nonvisual techniques such as audio aids, training, or technological assistance.