HB2270 is on today's agenda

I have to oppose it. It amends existing law to change the number of days a parent has to withdraw consent to relinquish his or her parental rights for an adoption from ten to five. Practically, this situation is limited almost exclusively to the mother giving up a child for adoption.

This is one of the most important decisions a parent can make, and he/she should be given ample time to consider the consequences of this action. Many times, a person will sign away rights to a child only to realize that they made a grave mistake a short time later. As it stands, if this realization comes within ten days, they can withdraw the consent. We have to consider that the parent, especially the mother, may be under the influence of medication for some or all of the proposed five days and may be in the hospital for two or three days after the birth. I have not talked with one Judge that has had a problem with the ten day period and see no reason that circumstances today require the shortening of this time period.