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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2006
Contact: Tracy Polovick
Coordinator of Communications and Outreach
(717) 787-8524
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Two Vance Bills Become Law

HARRISBURG – Two pieces of legislation authored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) – related to patient safety and foreign adoptions – recently were signed into law.

"It is gratifying to see these bills become law," said Vance. "Patient safety and quality of care will be bolstered now that nurses will continue their education every two years. In addition, parents will have an easier time registering their foreign adoption in Pennsylvania under the other new law."

Act 58 of 2006 amends the Professional Nursing Law to require nurses to obtain 30 hours of continuing education every two years as a condition of license renewal. Nationally certified education courses can be applied to the requirement. The State Board of Nursing can waive the continuing education requirement for those suffering a serious illness, serving in the military or having other hardship.

The law will take effect at the end of August.

Act 96 of 2006 allows parents to obtain a full and final adoption by filing with the clerk of court an authenticated copy of the foreign adoption decree, a copy of the child's visa and the child's birth certificate or other form of birth identification. If the court rules the adoption is full and final, no hearing will be required, and the parents will not be required to obtain counsel. Additionally, the clerk of courts must provide a standard petition, court order and instructions for use to adoptive parents who have to readopt their foreign child to finalize the adoption because they cannot meet the requirements of the streamlined process.

The law takes effect Sept. 5.

Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.