JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Rob Vescovo wants adoption to become a more viable and affordable option for Missourians. He filed legislation this week that would authorize the Missouri Children’s Division to reimburse adoptive parents for the bulk of the nonrecurring costs associated with adoption.
Vescovo said the change in law would hopefully make adoption an option that is used more often by families that would like to expand but simply cannot afford the costs associated with the process.
“Unfortunately there is often a huge price tag associated with adoption that can range into the thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars. If we are going to be serious about protecting the sanctity of all life, we need to make adoption a viable option that is used frequently to give children in need a stable, secure home,” said Vescovo, R-Arnold. He also went on to say “There are people in the State of Missouri that would be wonderful parents that could put food on the table and clothes on your back and give you a wonderful education in a loving environment and a loving home, but they just can’t afford that up-front cost. I want to change that.”
Vescovo’s bill would require the children’s division to reimburse the adoptive parent for all reasonable nonrecurring fees associated with the adoption with the exception of $500, which would be the responsibility of the adoptive parent. Fees could include attorney’s fees, court costs, and other litigation costs associated with the adoption.
Vescovo’s legislation is HB 1505.
