MN HF2000

Courts and agencies cannot deny adoption petitions solely based on an applicant's deafness, blindness, or physical disability.

Any person opposing an adoption on disability grounds must prove by clear and convincing evidence that specific parent behaviors will endanger the child's health or safety.

Disabled prospective parents who face opposition must be given the opportunity to demonstrate how supportive parenting services can alleviate safety concerns.

Courts may require social services agencies to provide supportive parenting services to disabled prospective parents and must allow court hearings to review the need for continuing services.

If a court denies or limits adoption rights for a disabled prospective parent, it must issue written findings explaining the denial and why supportive parenting services would not be a reasonable accommodation.

Defines "blindness" as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less with correction, or visual field limitations to 20 degrees or less, or a degenerative condition expected to result in these conditions.

Defines "deafness" as hearing loss requiring primary dependence on visual communication including American Sign Language, signing systems, cued speech, writing, or speech reading.

Defines "supportive parenting services" as services using alternative techniques, audio or visual aids, training, or technology assistance to enable disabled parents to parent as effectively as non-disabled parents.