H. B. 3352
(By Delegates Stemple, Sobonya, Howard, Rowan and Stevens)
[Introduced March 25, 2005; referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §48-22-201 of the Code of West
Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to petition for adoption;
and modifying qualifications of persons who may adopt.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §§48-22-201 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be
amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 22. ADOPTION.
PART 2. PERSONS WHO MAY ADOPT.
§48-22-201. Persons who may petition for decree of adoption.
(a) Any
heterosexual person not married or any person, with
his or her spouse's consent, or any husband and wife jointly, may
petition a circuit court of the county wherein such person or
persons reside for a decree of adoption of any minor child or
person who may be adopted by the petitioner or petitioners.
(b) No person eligible to adopt under this section may adopt
if that person is a homosexual.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to modify the qualifications
of persons who may adopt.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.