The Legislative Commissioner's office announces the drafting of a new bill concerning adoption issues.

The draft law will bring about several changes, aiming to modernize and regulate the administrative and judicial procedures of national and intercountry adoptions. Its main goal is to ensure and serve the protection and best interests of the child with respect to their fundamental rights as recognized by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Hague Convention.

Provisions in the draft law include the prohibition of direct placement of a child for adoption (private adoption placements), with adoptions being processed solely through the Social Welfare Services.

Various behaviors will be criminalized, such as accepting payment for the adoption of a child or publicizing any advertisements in print or electronic media indicating or implying that a parent or other person is offering a child for adoption or that a person desires to adopt a specific child or is willing to arrange for the adoption of a specific child.

The legislative framework will include provisions for simple adoption orders, which establish a legal and permanent parent-child relationship while simultaneously terminating the legal relationship between the child and their biological parents, yet granting rights for communication between the adopted child and their biological parents and family.

A Reconciliation Committee, comprising Social Welfare Officers, will be institutionalized and will submit recommendations to the Director regarding the placement of a child under direct care with the aim of adoption and their reconciliation with them.

The law will provide for the possibility of adoption by single individuals, as well as the process for the adoption of an adult person.

A Adoption Advisory Committee will be established to decide on the approval, re-approval, or rejection of applicants for adoption purposes.

Collaboration will be provided where required, with specialized professionals.

The evaluation process of the child's suitability for adoption and their reconciliation with the most suitable prospective adoptive parents will be provided for.

Advisory services will be provided both to children and to caregivers.

The examination of the child's living conditions, caregivers' responsibilities, actions in case of non-cooperation, penalties, and the child's relocation will be provided for.

There will be a specific section on post-adoption procedures, as well as the provision of advisory services to the adopted child and adoptive parents.

Provision will be made for Social Welfare Services to monitor the adjustment, level of care, protection, and well-being of the adopted child for a period of five years after the adoption order is issued or until the child reaches adulthood.

A special section will address intercountry adoptions, the responsibilities of the Central Authority in intercountry adoptions, the obligations of prospective adoptive parents for intercountry adoption, automatic recognition of adoption orders, the confirmation of adoption orders, the registration of the child in the Population Registry and Immigration Department, as well as the issuance of certificates and the creation of a Register of Intercountry Adoptions.