Okay via an email list that I am on, a friend heard about a bill in Virgina that would lower the time a woman has to change her mind,HB 285. Upon reading further, I discovered this little tidbit, HB 429. Ironically enough, there is not anything concerning coerced adoptions. Is me or does every one get the total irony of this kind of bill? I know these groups will totally snicker and get snarky over this one. I know that I feel that way. TheVirginia legislators listen to the Pro-life movement on this issue but they won't listen to us about adoption being the same exact way. It shortens the revocation time from 10 to seven days. It may even be shorter. I have not found the bill yet. As soon as I do, I will post it here.
HB 1315 discusses making women view their ultrasounds of their children before having an abortion.
HB 429 reads as follows:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-71.2 as follows:
§ 18.2-71.2. Forced or coerced abortion prohibited; penalty.
A. Any person who forces or coerces a pregnant female of any age to have an abortion against her will is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, if a violation of this section is committed by the father or putative father of the unborn child when the pregnant female is less than 18 years of age, and the father or putative father is 18 years of age or older, the father or putative father is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
B. Upon the request of the female victim, a law-enforcement agency investigating a violation of this section shall notify the female not less than 24 hours before initially contacting the person alleged to have committed a violation of this section.
C. Any female who is forced or coerced to have an abortion shall be entitled to bring a civil action in tort against the person who forced or coerced her to have an abortion, within one year of her 18th birthday or, if the female is more than 18 years of age at the time of the abortion, within one year of the date of the abortion. In addition to the action for herself, the female shall have a cause of action for wrongful death of the unborn child against the person who forced or coerced her to have an abortion.
D. For the purposes of the section, the term "forces or coerces" means any act or attempted act including a threat of physical, emotional, pecuniary, or psychological harm intended to compel a pregnant female to have an abortion performed in otherwise lawful circumstances but performed against her will.
2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities and is $0 for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Is it me but shouldn't they do the same thing for adoption? Hey folks its time to get the dander going on this one?
HB 285 reads as follows:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 63.2-1234 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 63.2-1234. When consent is revocable.
Consent shall be revocable as follows:
1. By either consenting birth parent for any reason for up to 10 seven days from its execution. Once the child is 10 days old, no executed consent can be withdrawn.
a. Such revocation shall be in writing, signed by the revoking party or counsel of record for the revoking party and shall be filed with the clerk of the juvenile and domestic relations district court in which the petition was filed during the business day of the juvenile and domestic relations district court, within the time period specified in this section. If the revocation period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or any day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by statute, the revocation period shall be extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by statute.
b. Upon the filing of a valid revocation within the time period set out in this section, the juvenile and domestic relations district court shall order that any consent given for the purpose of such placement is void and, if necessary, the juvenile and domestic relations district court shall determine custody of the child as between the birth parents.
2. By any party prior to the final order of adoption (i) upon proof of fraud or duress or (ii) after placement of the child in an adoptive home, upon written, mutual consent of the birth parents and prospective adoptive parents.
Another bill presented by the Virginia Senate should also be cause for alarm. This part basically nullifies the HB 285.
K. Petitions filed by a natural parent, whose parental rights to a child have been voluntarily relinquished pursuant to a court proceeding, to seek a reversal of the court order terminating such parental rights. No such petition shall be accepted, however, after the child has been placed in the home of adoptive parents.
Very Very Alarming. You can write to these legislators at this address.
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