HR 6035: Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2012

Protecting ADOPTION? Yea….that is what needs protecting….happily backed up by NCFA. Richardson Introduces Adoption Bill [Long Beach Post 6/29/12 by Ben Novtony]

Of course, we are for father’s rights, but this sounds like another feel good legislation that will have no teeth. Besides the fact that the “promote adoption” part comes first in the name, why do I say this? Father’s rights and NCFA in the same sentence raises a big red flag.

Here is the actual text: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr6035/text

Well, no state will be required to participate (Think Utah). Only 34 states right now have any kind of father’s registry. Setting up the system and advertising it seems to be a big part of it and I am sure the NCFA would LOVE to have grant money given to them for this purpose. And they have a National Educational Program in there that NCFA would love to run and get money for.

One of the purposes is “3) to remove the burden from the mother of having to identify potential fathers” That is a burden? Only 4% of rapes are stranger rape and only 1-2 pregnancies per 1000 stranger-rapes result in pregnancy (in other words this is a great rarity), I can’t see how that is a burden.It sounds like they want to just remove naming the father altogether to make adoptions faster.

It does not address timing of a father coming forward and placement or birthmother lying–this is the crux of most father’s rights lawsuits. It is geared really towards making placements quicker, not ensuring fathers have their rights addressed.

REFORM Puzzle Piece