Sub. H.B. No. 5 - Adoption Law Modernization

• Overhauls Ohio's adoption laws by amending multiple sections of the Revised Code related to adoption procedures, consent requirements, and parental rights termination.

• Establishes new requirements for parental consent documentation, including mandatory counseling and written materials about adoption to be provided by the Director of Job and Family Services at least 72 hours before consent execution.

• Increases living expense allowances for birth mothers from $3,000 to $6,000 during pregnancy through 60 days after birth, and removes requirement for court approval of certain permanent custody surrender agreements for children under six months old.

• Clarifies procedures for foreign adoptions by allowing adoptions finalized in other countries to be recognized in Ohio without additional court proceedings if certain conditions are met (IR-3 or IH-3 visa granted).

• Repeals sections 3107.071 and 3107.13 of the Revised Code and restructures multiple adoption-related statutes to streamline the adoption process while maintaining child welfare protections.