Adoption advocates are turning up the heat on Gov. Kathy Hochul to change a restrictive policy they say makes it difficult for New Yorkers to adopt from out-of-state birth mothers.
“The policy puts New York families at a great disadvantage,” said Ronnie Oliva, who with her husband Michael, recently adopted a baby girl from another state.
Ronnie Oliva said New York’s adoption policy is anti-child and anti-woman.
“They’re putting children last. You have to put children in loving homes,” said Ronnie Oliva, calling the process to adopt “emotionally draining.”
The Olivas formed the New York Adoption Coalition along with former US Rep. Max Rose, also an adoptive parent.
Hochul’s Office of Children and Family Services imposed a new edict Jan. 5 that limits the financial support adoptive families can give to out-of-state birth mothers.
I refuse to tell my family which of my two kids is biologically mine
Previously, New York adoptive parents were allowed to give more financial support to birth mothers from other states — based on the less restrictive rules on compensation in those states.