FOREIGN ADOPTION NAME CHANGES

House Bill 4242

Sponsor:  Rep. Scott Hummel

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 3-21-05

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4242 AS INTRODUCED 2-9-05

Under provisions of the Public Health Code, a delayed registration of birth may be filed with the Department of Community Health (DCH) for an adoption involving a child who was born outside of the United States, a territory of the U.S., or Canada.  House Bill 4242 would amend the code to allow the adopted child's name to be changed at the time the delayed registration of birth was filed if the adoption occurred under the laws of a foreign country.

Currently, an adopting parent may petition a court to file a delayed registration of birth if the child was born outside of the U.S., its territories, or Canada.  The delayed registration must contain the date and place of birth of the child along with other information required by the DCH. 

Under the bill, an adopting parent could request the court to enter a new name for the child on the delayed registration of birth if the child had been adopted under the laws of a foreign country and the child's name had not been changed as a part of the foreign adoption process.  The child would then be known and called by that name after the delayed registration of birth was filed.

MCL 333.2830

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill has minimal fiscal impact on state and local government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.