HB 243

Abstract

Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that it is the public policy of the State of Illinois that a reputable person of legal age and of either sex who is married and has not been living separate and apart from his or her spouse for 12 months or longer may institute an intercountry adoption proceeding without the person's spouse being a party to the adoption proceeding and without the adoption being by both spouses jointly if: the person is under no legal disability; the person has resided in the State of Illinois continuously for a period of at least 6 months immediately preceding the commencement of the intercountry adoption proceeding or is a member of the armed forces of the United States who has been domiciled in the State of Illinois for 90 days; and the person's spouse consents in writing to the granting of the intercountry adoption without the spouse being a party to the proceeding. Provides that, regardless of where an intercountry adoption proceeding is brought or is planned to be brought, the Department of Children and Family Services shall exercise its powers and duties with respect to an intercountry adoption proceeding meeting the above requirements in the same manner in which the Department of Children and Family Services exercises its powers and duties with respect to an adoption meeting existing statutory requirements. Effective immediately.