1(1) 2The Legislature finds that:6(a) 7The state has a compelling interest in providing stable and permanent homes for adoptive children in a prompt manner, in preventing the disruption of adoptive placements, and in holding parents accountable for meeting the needs of children.
44(b) 45An unmarried mother faced with the responsibility of making crucial decisions about the future of a newborn child is entitled to privacy, has the right to make timely and appropriate decisions regarding her future and the future of the child, and is entitled to assurance regarding an adoptive placement.
94(c) 95Adoptive children have the right to permanence and stability in adoptive placements.
107(d) 108Adoptive parents have a constitutional privacy interest in retaining custody of a legally adopted child.
123(e) 124An unmarried biological father has an inchoate interest that acquires constitutional protection only when he demonstrates a timely and full commitment to the responsibilities of parenthood, both during the pregnancy and after the child’s birth. The state has a compelling interest in requiring an unmarried biological father to demonstrate that commitment by providing appropriate medical care and financial support and by establishing legal paternity rights in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
295(4) 296The basic safeguards intended to be provided by this chapter are that:308(a) 309The minor is legally free for adoption and that all adoptions are handled in accordance with the requirements of law.
329(b) 330The required persons consent to the adoption or the parent-child relationship is terminated by judgment of the court.
348(c) 349The required social studies are completed and the court considers the reports of these studies prior to judgment on adoption petitions.
370(d) 371A sufficient period of time elapses during which the minor has lived within the proposed adoptive home under the guidance of an adoption entity, except stepparent adoptions or adoptions of a relative.
403(e) 404All expenditures by adoption entities or adoptive parents relative to the adoption of a minor are reported to the court and become a permanent record in the file of the adoption proceedings, including, but not limited to, all legal fees and costs, all payments to or on behalf of a birth parent, and all payments to or on behalf of the minor.
466(f) 467Social and medical information concerning the minor and the parents is furnished by the parent when available and filed with the court before a final hearing on a petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption, unless the petitioner is a stepparent or a relative.
511(g) 512A new birth certificate is issued after entry of the adoption judgment.
524(h) 525At the time of the hearing, the court may order temporary substitute care when it determines that the minor is in an unsuitable home.
549(i) 550The records of all proceedings concerning custody and adoption of a minor are confidential and exempt from s. 568119.07(1), 569except as provided in s. 57463.162575. 576(j) 577The birth parent, the prospective adoptive parent, and the minor receive, at a minimum, the safeguards, guidance, counseling, and supervision required in this chapter.
601(k) 602In all matters coming before the court under this chapter, the court shall enter such orders as it deems necessary and suitable to promote and protect the best interests of the person to be adopted.
637(l) 638In dependency cases initiated by the department, where termination of parental rights occurs, and siblings are separated despite diligent efforts of the department, continuing postadoption communication or contact among the siblings may be ordered by the court if found to be in the best interests of the children.
