Dusty Johnson: “Adoption is a rewarding, but often expensive and frustrating option for many South Dakota families. As a member of the…”

“Adoption is a rewarding, but often expensive and frustrating option for many South Dakota families. As a member of the bipartisan 'adoption caucus' in the Senate I have tried to make adoption a more viable option for loving parents. During the past couple of years, we have made major improvements in adoption policy including legislation: giving parents of adopted children the same time-off rights as those who give birth; outlawing racial or ethnic discrimination in adoption; automatically giving foreign-born adoptees American citizenship; and implementing international agreements to outlaw trafficking in children and promoting international adoption. These laws have resulted in an increase of adoptions nationwide by cutting much of the paperwork and bureaucracy of the adoption process. Yet there are still almost half a million kids in foster care nationwide, and a large number of those are minorities and kids with special needs. There are even more families who want to adopt, but simply can't afford to. More needs to be done. For too many South Dakotans, adoption is not an option because of the high costs associated with it. By some estimates, an adoption can cost upwards of $25,000 in fees, paperwork, and legal assistance. I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation called the Hope for Children Act.”