Politics
Politics

Georgia lawmakers head to showdown over adoption

2/1/18 - Atlanta - Rep. Bert Reeves, R - Marietta, is congratulated after the passage of HB159, concerning adoption, in the House. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

2/1/18 - Atlanta - Rep. Bert Reeves, R - Marietta, is congratulated after the passage of HB159, concerning adoption, in the House. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
By
Feb 2, 2018

A proposal to make adoptions easier and faster in Georgia hangs in the balance at the state Legislature.

The state House of Representatives voted 168-0 on Thursday to pass a compromise to House Bill 159, sending the legislation back to the state Senate.

It's unclear whether senators will accept the latest changes. Some senators object to a part of the bill that would make it legal for adoptive parents to reimburse birth mothers' basic living expenses for rent, food and maternity clothes, saying it could increase adoption costs and result in buying and selling of babies.

But House representatives say paying birth mothers for their expenses is safe, and the adoption measure would help create new families in Georgia. The Senate adjourned Thursday without taking a vote on the legislation.

Exclusive to subscribers: Read the full story on PoliticallyGeorgia.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The ballot will feature a U.S. Senate race, an open Georgia governor seat and a full slate of congressional and state offices. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman for the AJC

Election 2026: Who’s running for office in Georgia

Here’s who has officially announced a run for some of the more noteworthy and competitive Georgia offices.

Offices close, services suspended across Georgia amid federal shutdown

Tens of thousands of federal workers in the state were directed to stay home Wednesday after members of Congress couldn’t come to an agreement to keep the government open.

LISTEN

How did the government shutdown happen?

The "Politically Georgia" team discusses the implications of the government shutdown for Georgians.

The Latest

The ballot will feature a U.S. Senate race, an open Georgia governor seat and a full slate of congressional and state offices. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman for the AJC

Election 2026: Who’s running for office in Georgia

LISTEN

How did the government shutdown happen?

OPINION

Top US military commanders send a message of silence

Featured

Krog District, which includes food hall Krog Street Market, has sold to a new owner. (Brandon McKeown/Access Atlanta 2022)

Credit: Brandon McKeown

Popular Beltline hub including Krog Street Market sells to Atlanta firm

Atlanta firm 26th Street Partners has acquired the Krog District. The Eastside Trail destination features more than 40 tenants, including Superica and Ticonderoga Club.

Should Druid Hills High stay or go? DeKalb leaders preparing to make a choice

The long-awaited upgrades to one of DeKalb County's oldest schools are a little closer to reality.

As film industry declines, Georgia has become a hotspot for game shows

Georgia is losing the battle for big-budget films to other countries and states, but it has found a consolation prize: game shows.