While many States focus on restricting abortions,
we want to help them say "YES" to adoption!
Why not offer a positive, constructive alternative?
Idaho Agrees!

DID YOU KNOW? Most adoption legislation benefits the adoptive parents.

DID YOU KNOW? Birth moms encounter many unnecessary obstacles on the path to adoption. And her journey is hard enough! We want to remove those obstacles. That’s the focus of our policy work in States with ‘trigger laws.’ We’ve outlined "best practices" and statute changes to propose to these 13 States, starting in the Idaho legislature. We hope this will be a template for other States.

DID YOU KNOW? Idaho is the among the first to pass legislation to protect, benefit and care for birth mothers.
These laws will make it easier to choose adoption by ….

(1)   S 1308  Educating about Adoption.  It starts with awareness. Most people don’t know how adoption is done now (current practices), and no one can learn about a weighty new topic during a time of crisis.  Proactive education will give women an understanding of adoption as an option, and inform them about how much of the decision-making is theirs. This law brings adoption education into any public school that already discusses or dispenses contraception, STD tests, etc.
This is a FIRST for legislating adoption in the curriculum. (Very exciting!)

(2)  S 1368  Banning unlicensed facilitators from doing business in Idaho will decrease the cost of adopting and increase the quality of services. As of July 2020, 23 States prohibited the use of unlicensed facilitators, and 43 States regulated them. Idaho did not, until now.  This was needed because such facilitators take most of the adoptive parents' budget and don't provide the other services needed to care for the birth mother or even finalize the adoption. Plus, these people were operating without any kind of oversight. With this bill, adoptions must be arranged by licensed professionals, either agencies or attorneys.

(3)   S 1309  Covering Allowable Birth Mother Expenses. Why should the State impose a limit on what adoptive parents can reimburse?  Focus instead of what’s reasonable and vetted by Idaho’s licensed, non-profit adoption agencies. Forty (40) States have already eliminated their caps on expenses. This makes it easier to cover a birth mother’s expenses (less delay and less hassle) while decreasing the overall cost of adoption by lessening the administrative burdens. This also removes the incentive for placing babies in the states that have already eliminated their cap, thus keeping Idaho babies in Idaho.

These three bills were signed into law by Idaho Governor Brad Little in March 2024.

# # #

Next Session. Here’s what we’re considering for next year.

• Safe Haven Babies. Currently, babies surrendered to “safe havens” go straight into the foster system in 49 States. Only Florida allows licensed adoption agencies to place the babies in permanent homes. With SO many couples waiting to adopt, those babies could be with their ‘forever parents’ within mere hours, with this change in the law.

• Court Hearings without Delay. The anticipation of going to court causes the birth mother anxiety and stress. This addition to the code puts a priority on these 10-15 minute hearings so they must occur within ten business days of the paperwork being ready for court filing.

• Individual Therapy/Counseling.  Currently there is no Idaho code relating to counseling services for the birth mother, both pre-placement and post-placement. The need for birth mother counseling is undeniable. Counseling can ensure that the adoption has the best chance of success and that the birth mother is well cared for emotionally, allowing her to begin her healing process.  

• Post-adoption contact agreements. Post-adoption contact agreements are optional and voluntary. No one has to have an open adoption. If the parties agree to an open adoption, this bill would make it possible for contact agreements to be court-enforceable. It’s important that these agreements are taken seriously by potential adoptive parents, and this assures the pregnant woman that the adoptive parents are sincere.

• Fetal development education. Baby Olivia bill requires schools to show fetal development videos to students. The “Baby Olivia” video was created by pro-life group Live Action, led by Lila Rose. Several States have embraced this addition to public school health ed curriculum.
  - North Dakota passed the first bill of this kind in 2023
  - Iowa passed House File 2617 on Feb.26 2024
  - and State legislatures in Kentucky, Missouri and West Virginia are considering similar proposals this year.
  
  Please share your thoughts with us! Write us at unplannedgood@gmail.com