Senator Steven Choi, Ph.D. (R-Irvine) announced on May 14 that two of his priority bills aimed at helping children with life-threatening illnesses and foreign adoptees have advanced past the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File and will now move to the floor of the California State Senate.
The advancement of these measures is significant for both foreign adoptees seeking legal documentation and children facing serious health challenges. The proposed legislation addresses gaps in state law and seeks to provide new opportunities for vulnerable youth.
SB 927 would create a process allowing foreign adoptees whose intercountry adoptions were never finalized in California to petition for their own readoption and obtain delayed registration of birth. This bill is intended to address issues faced by individuals whose parents or adoption agencies did not complete the necessary readoption steps before they reached adulthood.
SB 1021 proposes that the California Fish and Game Commission establish a supervised hunting and fishing program specifically for youth diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. The program would involve partnerships with nonprofit organizations and conservation groups to help administer activities designed to offer hope through outdoor experiences.
“Today marks an important step forward for two meaningful bills that break down barriers for sick children and foreign adoptees in California,” said Senator Choi. “SB 927 helps provide foreign adoptees with the documentation needed to establish their identity and legal history, while SB 1021 creates opportunities for children facing life-threatening illnesses to experience hope and healing through California’s outdoors.”
Choi also thanked advocates, stakeholders, and committee members who supported these legislative efforts. Both SB 927 and SB 1021 are scheduled to be considered by the full California State Senate in the coming weeks.
