House Bill 497

Chair�s Name: Wendell Willard

Committee: Judiciary

House Sponsor: Donna Sheldon

HB 497 allows a father to �surrender� all legal rights to his child before it is born if the child will be put up for adoption.  Currently a child must be born before the father may surrender his legal rights.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Judiciary Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule. 

Chairman Willard�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

This bill will allow for the pre-birth surrender of rights from the biological father in the case of adoptions.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

A desire by Georgia adoption attorneys to help the adoption process.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure

Will make the adoption process easier which helps place children in loving families.