Oct. 17, 2016
HARRISBURG – The House approved legislation with unanimous support sponsored by Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-Chester) to better position children of the Commonwealth with a happy, secure youth by facilitating easier adoptions.
House Bill 1530 expressly states that employees of a correctional facility may serve as a signed witness for the adoption of a child whose birth parent is incarcerated. While employees are currently permitted to serve as witnesses, many are unaware of that right or are concerned that the task would require their involvement in court proceedings should the adoption be disputed.
“Transitioning children who have faced the adversities associated with having a parent in jail to a life that insulates them from those difficulties must be done in a timely fashion,” Lewis said. “It’s not uncommon for people to be incarcerated in prisons located hours from their homes, making it difficult to gather the required two signatures for a valid adoption consent. By using the men and women who are already available at the facility, adoptions would not be stalled simply waiting for witnesses.”
The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Harry Lewis
74th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
RepLewis.com /
Facebook.com/RepLewis