The House Standing Committee on Families and Children approved HB 476, sponsored by Representative Daniel Elliott (Danville). The House of Representatives passed the bill 95-0. This measure would allow a parent to voluntarily terminate his or her parental rights during the pendency of a proceeding relating to dependency, neglect, and abuse actions by signing a consent form prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

This action would be permitted upon a trial court finding that it is in the child’s best interest for the parental rights to be terminated. Additionally, a court may deny a termination of parental rights if it finds that it is not in the child’s best interest.

“House Bill 476 enables parents to relinquish their parental rights once a court has determined that it would be in the child’s best interest,” Elliott said. “This may only take place after a case of neglect, dependency, or child abuse has been established, and a court has decided that the child would be better off under the care of a guardian other than their parent. The bill aims to ensure that children in abusive households receive the care and support they require without having to go through the additional proceedings.”

This measure will move on to the Senate for further consideration. For more information regarding HB 476 as it moves through the legislative process, as well as current and past legislative measures, please visit legislature.ky.gov.