PA HB2123

Placing parents voluntarily relinquishing a child for adoption must be represented by a Pennsylvania-licensed attorney who is separate from and not affiliated with attorneys representing the adoptive parents or adoption agency; this right may be waived in writing but cannot be required as a condition of proceeding.

Home studies for prospective adoptive parents may include a minimum of 6 hours of training on transracial adoption, attachment, and trauma-informed parenting.

Adoption intermediary services (soliciting or linking placing parents with prospective adoptive parents for compensation) are restricted to licensed agencies, the Department of Human Services, or Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys, with fines of $15,000 for first violations, $20,000 for second, and $30,000 for third or subsequent violations.

Adoption advertising is similarly restricted to agencies, the department, or licensed attorneys, with fines of $10,000, $15,000, and $20,000 for first, second, and subsequent violations; prospective adoptive parents with valid home studies may still advertise their availability.

The Adoption Intermediary Services Fund is established in the State Treasury to collect fines and fund enforcement by the Department of Human Services; the act takes effect 60 days after enactment.