Adoptive parents would be allowed to provide more financial support to birth mothers under a popular proposal in New York — where critics say it’s easier to get an abortion than to adopt a baby.
In New York, adoptive parents are currently limited to providing financial support to birth moms from 60 days before the baby is born and up to 30 days after birth, severely hindering help for the biological moms at crucial times of need, critics told the Post.
But Gov. Kathy Hochul tucked a new provision in her $260 billion budget plan that would increase the time in which adoptive parents could cover the birth mother’s expenses for housing, maternity clothing, clothing for the child and other expenses from 60 days to 180 days before birth and from 30 days to 45 days after birth.
The plan also would permit payments beyond these time frames if a court determines circumstances exist that require financial help for a longer period.
“Many New York families rely on this type of adoption, which offers unique benefits for both adoptive and birth parent,” said a summary of the Democratic gov’s proposed legislation tied to the budget.
“However, New York’s rules related to reimbursements for birth mothers are out of sync with other states, making it harder for New York parents to adopt,” the summary said.
The plan does not involve surrogacy, which is governed by a whole different set of laws.
Many New York parents who adopt have been forced to go out of state to find a birth mother set to give up her child because of the Empire State’s stingy policy, advocates for the change said.
“I adopted two children out of state for this reason,” said Democratic ex-upstate New York Congressman Max Rose, the dad of 5-year-old Miles and 1-year-old Ashton, who added he is thrilled with Hochul’s proposal.
“New York’s adoption process is hard. That’s why you see New York City adoptive parents go out of state to find a birth parent,” Rose said.
“Adopting two beautiful children is the most amazing thing in our lives,” he said, referring to his family, including wife Leigh Byrne. “I’m hopeful that the process will be easier for other New Yorkers.”
Michael Oliva, who has a two-and-a-half year-old daughter he adopted from another state with his wife, Ronnie, also welcomed Hochul’s push to ease the financial restrictions on adoption as long overdue. .
“You would think adoption would be the easiest thing in the world. It’s not,” Oliva said. “In other states, it’s easier to facilitate an adoption than in New York.
“This landmark legislation does more to create and foster loving families than any other initiative in New York state,” he said.
“It levels the playing field for New York’s prospective adoptive parents who until now have had to navigate onerous and anachronistic adoption laws, which put them — as well as the state’s birth mothers and prospective adoptive children — at an egregious disadvantage in the adoption process.
“Rarely do people from across the political spectrum so vehemently agree on an issue, which is how you know it makes sense for our state’s people and families,” Oliva said.
“Most importantly, children born in New York will find caring homes with parents who will wholeheartedly and unconditionally love them.”
An adoption lawyer said Hochul’s proposal, if enacted, will really help boost adoption.
“It’s a win for the birth mother and adoptive parents,” said lawyer Leslie Silver Hoffman.
“It helps the woman carrying the child to get the he resources she needs. The birth mother needs the support.”
Hoffman said the reimbursed expenses have to be related to the pregnancy of the birth parent.
The advocacy group for New York’s Catholic Church also said Hochul’s policy will be a lifesaver.
“Any pro-adoption policy will save lives,” said Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference — who had claimed that without the new measure, the state was “encouraging women from other states to get abortions here but discouraging pregnant women from other states to provide loving homes for their babies right here in New York.”
“It will help mothers who otherwise choose abortion to think twice,” Proust said.
“It’s no small thing,” he said.
“Our laws are certainly more friendly to abortion than adoption. This helps level the playing field. I can’t imagine anyone who would be opposed to it.”
He praised the “first mom governor,” Hochul, for implementing a number of “family friendly” policies including child tax credits and pushing for expansion of publicly funded child care.
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