Bill Would Make Step Parent Adoptions Easier

A bill headed to the state Senate would make it easier for a step-parent to adopt their spouse’s child.

Bill sponsor, Senator Tonya Schuitmaker says currently in Michigan a parent has to petition the court for sole custody of a child before filing to terminate parental rights.

She says this clogs up the judicial system with two filings instead of just one.

Schuitmaker says her bill would eliminate the additional burden by allowing a parent with custody to petition the step-parent for adoption.

The court would then terminate the parental rights of the other parent if they had not provided support for at least two years.

The bill was moved out of a Senate committee.