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PA HB133
Bill
Status
9/22/2025
Primary Sponsor
Rick Krajewski
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AI Summary
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Creates a new legal process in Pennsylvania allowing former parents whose parental rights were terminated by an agency to petition for reinstatement, with petitions also permitted by the agency or the child/child's attorney
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Requires at least one year to have elapsed since termination (or child must be 17+), and the child must not have been adopted, be in agency custody, no longer be in adoptive parent's care, or have adoption dissolution proceedings pending
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Courts must find by clear and convincing evidence that reinstatement is in the child's best interest, the former parent can provide day-to-day care, and children 12 or older must consent to the reinstatement
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Establishes procedural requirements including a prehearing conference within 30 days, evidentiary hearing within 60 days after, mandatory legal representation for children, and appointed counsel for indigent former parents
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Parents whose rights are reinstated are not liable for child support or service costs during the period their rights were terminated, and the law applies retroactively to children currently under court jurisdiction
Legislative Description
In proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for relinquishment to adult intending to adopt child, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for petition for involuntary termination; and providing for reinstatement of parental rights.
Last Action
Referred to Children & Youth
9/22/2025