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H.B. 92

             1     

ADOPTION OF AN ADULT PROVISIONS

             2     
2007 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: John G. Mathis

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Kevin T. Van Tassell

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends the provisions of the Juvenile Court Act of 1996 relating to the
             10      adoption of an adult.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    describes the requirements that apply to the adoption of an adult;
             14          .    provides for the disclosure, under certain circumstances, of records relating to the
             15      adoption of an adult; and
             16          .    makes technical changes.
             17      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             18          None
             19      Other Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23          78-30-1, as last amended by Chapter 208, Laws of Utah 2000
             24          78-30-15, as last amended by Chapter 224, Laws of Utah 1999
             25      ENACTS:
             26          78-30-1.2, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             27     


             28      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             29          Section 1. Section 78-30-1 is amended to read:
             30           78-30-1. Who may adopt -- Adoption of minor -- Adoption of adult.
             31          (1) Any minor child may be adopted by an adult person, in accordance with the
             32      provisions and requirements of this section and this chapter.
             33          (2) [Any] (a) Subject to this Subsection (2) and Subsection (3), any adult may be
             34      adopted by another adult. [However, all]
             35          (b) The following provisions of this chapter apply to the adoption of an adult just as
             36      though the person being adopted were a minor[, except that consent of the parents of an adult
             37      person being adopted is not required.]:
             38          (i) Sections 78-30-1.2 , 78-30-2 , 78-30-3 , 78-30-4.18 , 78-30-6 , 78-30-8 , 78-30-8.5 ,
             39      78-30-8.6 , 78-30-9 , 78-30-10 , 78-30-11 , and 78-30-15 ; and
             40          (ii) Subsections 78-30-7 (1), (2), and (7), except that the juvenile court does not have
             41      jurisdiction over a proceeding for adoption of an adult, unless the adoption arises from a case
             42      where the juvenile court has continuing jurisdiction over the adult adoptee.
             43          (c) Before a court enters a final decree of adoption of an adult, the adoptee and the
             44      adoptive parent or parents shall appear before the court presiding over the adoption
             45      proceedings and execute consent to the adoption.
             46          (d) No provision of this chapter, other than those listed or described in this Subsection
             47      (2) or Subsection (3), apply to the adoption of an adult.
             48          (3) (a) A child may be adopted by:
             49          (i) adults who are legally married to each other in accordance with the laws of this
             50      state, including adoption by a stepparent; or
             51          (ii) any single adult, except as provided in Subsection (3)(b).
             52          (b) A child may not be adopted by a person who is cohabiting in a relationship that is
             53      not a legally valid and binding marriage under the laws of this state. For purposes of this
             54      Subsection (3)(b), "cohabiting" means residing with another person and being involved in a
             55      sexual relationship with that person.
             56          Section 2. Section 78-30-1.2 is enacted to read:
             57          78-30-1.2. Notice and consent for adoption of an adult.
             58          (1) (a) Consent to the adoption of an adult is required from:


             59          (i) the adult adoptee;
             60          (ii) any person who is adopting the adult;
             61          (iii) the spouse of a person adopting the adult; and
             62          (iv) any legally appointed guardian or custodian of the adult.
             63          (b) No person, other than a person described in Subsection (1)(a), may consent, or
             64      withhold consent, to the adoption of an adult.
             65          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), notice of a proceeding for the adoption
             66      of an adult shall be served on each person described in Subsection(1)(a) and the spouse of the
             67      adoptee.
             68          (b) The notice described in Subsection (2)(a) may be waived, in writing, by the person
             69      entitled to receive notice.
             70          (3) The notice described in Subsection (2):
             71          (a) shall be served at least 30 days before the day on which the adoption is finalized;
             72          (b) shall specifically state that the person served must respond to the petition within 30
             73      days of service if the person intends to intervene in the adoption proceeding;
             74          (c) shall state the name of the person to be adopted;
             75          (d) may not state the name of a person adopting the adoptee, unless the person
             76      consents, in writing, to disclosure of the person's name;
             77          (e) with regard to a person described in Subsection (1)(a):
             78          (i) except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), shall be in accordance with the provisions
             79      of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure; and
             80          (ii) may not be made by publication; and
             81          (f) with regard to the spouse of the adoptee, may be made:
             82          (i) in accordance with the provisions of the Utah Rules of Civil procedure;
             83          (ii) by certified mail, return receipt requested; or
             84          (iii) by publication, posting, or other means if:
             85          (A) the service described in Subsection (3)(f)(ii) cannot be completed after two
             86      attempts; and
             87          (B) the court issues an order providing for service by publication, posting, or other
             88      means.
             89          (4) Proof of service of the notice on each person to whom notice is required by this


             90      section shall be filed with the court before the adoption is finalized.
             91          (5) (a) Any person who is served with notice of a proceeding for the adoption of an
             92      adult and who wishes to intervene in the adoption shall file a motion in the adoption
             93      proceeding:
             94          (i) within 30 days after the day on which the person is served with notice of the
             95      adoption proceeding;
             96          (ii) that sets forth the specific relief sought; and
             97          (iii) that is accompanied by a memorandum specifying the factual and legal grounds
             98      upon which the motion is made.
             99          (b) A person who fails to file the motion described in Subsection (5)(a) within the time
             100      described in Subsection (5)(a)(i):
             101          (i) waives any right to further notice of the adoption proceeding; and
             102          (ii) is barred from intervening in, or bringing or maintaining any action challenging, the
             103      adoption proceeding.
             104          Section 3. Section 78-30-15 is amended to read:
             105           78-30-15. Petition, report, and documents to be sealed -- Exceptions.
             106          The court shall order that the petition for adoption, the written report described in
             107      Section 78-30-14 , and any other documents filed in connection with the hearing be sealed.
             108      Those items are not open to inspection or copying except:
             109          (1) upon order of the court expressly permitting inspection or copying, after good cause
             110      has been shown;
             111          (2) as provided under Section 78-30-18 ; [or]
             112          (3) those records shall become public on the one hundredth anniversary of the date the
             113      final decree of adoption was entered[.]; or
             114          (4) if the adoptee is an adult at the time the final decree of adoption is entered, the
             115      documents described in this section are open to inspection and copying without a court order
             116      by the adoptee or a parent who adopted the adoptee, unless the final decree of adoption is
             117      entered by the juvenile court under Subsection 78-30-1 (2)(b)(ii).





Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-21-06 8:09 AM


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