# Nevada AB227: AN ACT relating to adoption; repealing, reenacting, revising, reorganizing and establishing certain provisions relating to the adoption of children through agency adoptions, identified adoptions, close-family adoptions, confirmatory adoptions, readoptions and adoptions of children placed in the custody of agencies which provide child welfare services under certain circumstances; revising various provisions relating to the adoption of adults; requiring the Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt various regulations; directing the Legislative Counsel to make various organizational changes concerning the placement of certain compacts for adoption in the Nevada Revised Statutes; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Nevada AB227, AN ACT relating to adoption; repealing, reenacting, revising, reorganizing and establishing certain provisions relating to the adoption of children through agency adoptions, identified adoptions, close-family adoptions, confirmatory adoptions, readoptions and adoptions of children placed in the custody of agencies which provide child welfare services under certain circumstances; revising various provisions relating to the adoption of adults; requiring the Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt various regulations; directing the Legislative Counsel to make various organizational changes concerning the placement of certain compacts for adoption in the Nevada Revised Statutes; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto., is a 83rd Regular Session (2025) House bill sponsored by Brittney M. Miller (Democratic); status signed, last action 2025-06-03 (Chapter 239.); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB227-83rd2025 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Nevada AB227 - State: Nevada - Session: 83rd Regular Session (2025) - Title: AN ACT relating to adoption; repealing, reenacting, revising, reorganizing and establishing certain provisions relating to the adoption of children through agency adoptions, identified adoptions, close-family adoptions, confirmatory adoptions, readoptions and adoptions of children placed in the custody of agencies which provide child welfare services under certain circumstances; revising various provisions relating to the adoption of adults; requiring the Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt various regulations; directing the Legislative Counsel to make various organizational changes concerning the placement of certain compacts for adoption in the Nevada Revised Statutes; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2025-02-03 - Last action: 2025-06-03, Chapter 239. - Sponsor: Brittney M. Miller (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: BDR 11-928 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 2 (61 yes, 1 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 42 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Agency standards, sibling priority, and enforcement: benefit, medium. The Division sets minimum rules for child‑placing agencies and, with local agencies, adopts placement procedures. Natural parents and prospective adoptive parents may agree on how much identifying information to share. Agencies must try to place siblings together when practicable. An agency can ask… - More info for birth and adoptive parents: benefit, medium. Before a placing parent in an identified adoption signs, the agency must explain the process, counseling, and options. The agency collects multi‑generation family and medical history, and, if the child is born, the child's medical and developmental history; the parent may read the home study before… - Stronger protections for Indian child adoptions: benefit, medium. When a child is taken into custody or a relinquishment is accepted, agencies must check if the child may be an Indian child and report that to the court; the Division sets uniform inquiry rules. If the child is a tribal ward, lives on a reservation, or is domiciled there, the agency must notify the… - Stronger protections for Indian child adoptions: benefit, medium. Courts accept a tribe’s customary adoption order if it is a good permanent plan and in the child’s best interest. The court then enters a state adoption order without a new petition or a clerk’s fee. For an Indian child, parents may consent no sooner than 10 days after birth, in person at court, an… - Paying for adoption consent is illegal: benefit, medium. It is a crime to pay or offer payment to get a child placed, to get a consent to adoption, or to get cooperation in an adoption. It is also a crime to accept medical or birth‑expense payments from a prospective adoptive parent if you intend not to consent or finish the adoption. Charitable help for… - Adoptions are harder to undo: benefit, medium. After the court grants an adoption, a placing parent cannot set it aside unless a separate court already voided their consent or reversed termination of rights. The law presumes it is best for the child to stay with the adoptive parents. If a post‑adoption contact agreement is broken, you cannot us… - Stronger rules for Indian child cases: benefit, medium. Courts and agencies must make a good‑faith inquiry to learn if a child is an Indian child. They must ask the family, others who may know, and any identified tribes, and document the work. Judges must make written findings, keep asking early in hearings, and order more inquiry when needed. In these… - More help for special-needs adoptions: benefit, medium. If a child under 18 in agency custody is found to have special needs, the agency schedules needed evaluations and can consent to the adoption. The agency must tell you about grants and help you apply. Help can cover attorney fees, basic support, and costs tied to pre‑existing medical or mental cond… - DCFS sets uniform child welfare rules: benefit, medium. The Division of Child and Family Services sets statewide standards for child welfare work. Rules cover prevention, reporting abuse or neglect, legal rights, emergency shelter, missing children, runaways, and a plain‑language pamphlet in English and other languages. The Division also sets standards… - Adult adoption rules clarified: benefit, low. An adult may adopt another adult who is at least 10 years younger, but not a spouse. The adults sign a written agreement and file in the county where either lives. The court holds a hearing, may require notice or an investigation, and approves if it is in the parties’ best interests. The adoptee ma… - Clear consent and withdrawal rules: benefit, low. Every living parent and any legal guardian must usually consent, unless rights were already ended, the parent has died, or another state’s birth father registry ended rights. A valid consent or relinquishment must identify the child, be in writing, be signed (for birth parents not sooner than 72 ho… - Clear court steps to finish adoption: benefit, low. You may file an adoption petition any time after placement and must include the placement date, fitness and finances, ICWA inquiry info, and any contact or visitation orders. The court gives notice to any nonparent custodian or guardian. Within 15 days after filing or 5 months after placement, whic… - Close-family adoptions get clear rules: benefit, low. The law creates a chapter with rules for close-family adoptions. It defines key terms like parent, placing parent, prospective adoptive parent, relinquishment, and specific consent. This gives families and courts a clearer roadmap. - Confirmatory adoption for Nevada records: benefit, low. You can file a confirmatory adoption in Nevada only if the child's birth certificate was issued in Nevada. The petition shows how parentage was already established and includes a birth certificate, court order, or other proof; these records are confidential. The court’s order confirms each legal pa… - Fair rules for judging adoptive homes: benefit, low. The Division sets clear criteria for deciding if a home is suitable. Agencies must share investigation results with prospective parents and let them respond. Identities of sources stay confidential as the law allows. Agencies cannot reject a home only because parents are deaf, blind, have another p… - International adoptions: easy Nevada readoption: benefit, low. If you completed an adoption in another country, you can petition to readopt in Nevada. File the foreign adoption order or certificate, the child’s birth certificate, and certified English translations. After the order, submit the Registrar’s report so Nevada can issue or update the birth certifica… - Keep siblings together and in touch: benefit, low. Agencies must try to place siblings together when practicable. If there is a court order for sibling visitation, the judge adds it to the adoption order unless someone asks to change it within 30 days of notice. The court decides that request at the adoption hearing and can enforce visitation. Fami… - State adoption register to reconnect families: benefit, low. The state keeps a voluntary adoption register. Adults who were adopted, placing parents, and relatives within the third degree can add their names. You may withdraw your name at any time in writing, and the Division must remove it right away. The Division may release information only when both the… - Updated inheritance rules after adoption: benefit, low. When a person is adopted, the adopted child and the adoptive parents and their relatives inherit under the updated rule in section 38 of this law. This clarifies how adopted people and adoptive families inherit. - Who can adopt and who agrees: benefit, low. You must usually be at least 10 years older than the child, but the court can waive this if it is best for the child. A child age 14 or older must agree to the adoption. If you are married and not legally separated, your spouse must agree unless the court excuses it, and the spouse only becomes a l… - Birth parents can sue over false statements: benefit, low. If you are a birth parent with a signed postadoptive contact agreement, the law lets you sue. You can bring a civil case against anyone who knowingly gave false answers to the judge’s required questions and caused the court not to include your agreement in the adoption order. You can seek your actu… - Foster parents can see and share records: benefit, low. A licensing authority may, at your request, share your foster care provider records with a child‑welfare or child‑placing agency, except references. You can also review your own licensing and home‑study records after giving reasonable notice and making an appointment. - Courts keep sibling visits after adoption: benefit, low. If a child in agency custody has a court order for sibling visits, the court includes that order in the adoption. Anyone who wants to change it must ask the court within 30 days after notice. The court decides sibling visitation before finalizing the adoption. Siblings can later ask the court to en… - System updates for agencies and courts: benefit, low. The law clarifies which statutes govern agency, identified, and adult adoptions. It lets child welfare agencies, child‑placing agencies, or Nevada attorneys handle ICPC work. It updates definitions (for example, a hospital can be a “person” and what it means to recommend placement). In districts wi… - Who cares for a child before adoption: cost, high. If a child is ordered or relinquished to a child‑welfare agency, the agency has custody and control until the court grants the adoption. If you have legal custody when a parent signs a specific consent, you must support and care for the child until the court holds the adoption hearing. A child‑welf… - Adult adoptions need spouse approval: cost, low. If you are married and not legally separated, your spouse must agree before you can adopt an adult or be adopted. No consent from a natural parent or approval by the Division is required for adult adoptions. - When special‑needs adoption aid ends: cost, low. Financial assistance for special‑needs adoptions ends when the child turns 18 if not in school, or 19 if in school. It also ends if the child graduates high school at 18 or older, becomes self‑supporting, is emancipated, or dies. Ending assistance does not change legal status or other obligations. - Adoption filings and court reports: mixed, medium. You can file an adoption petition once the child is legally free and the child‑welfare agency agrees. The petition must include key facts about you, the child, consents or terminations, any post‑adoption contact, and any signs of trafficking or abuse. Unless waived, the agency sends a post‑placemen… - Clear rules for consent and surrender: mixed, medium. Each living parent whose rights are not ended, and any court‑appointed guardian, must give specific written consent for an adoption unless the law says consent is not required. A minor parent can sign without their own parents and the consent stays valid after age 18; it can be voided only for frau… - Clearer rules for adoption consents: mixed, medium. A birth parent’s consent signed before birth or within 72 hours after birth is invalid. A minor parent may consent without their own parents, and a signed specific consent is generally not revocable by that parent. A consent becomes invalid if no adoption petition is filed within 18 months or not a… - Enforceable post‑adoption contact agreements: mixed, medium. Natural and adoptive parents can sign a written post‑adoption contact agreement; the court can enforce it if it is included in the adoption order. A natural parent can withhold identity by naming an agent for service; parties must keep a service address or email current. Prospective adoptive parent… - Enforceable post‑adoption contact rules: mixed, medium. A post‑adoption contact agreement is enforceable only if it is written, signed, and put into the adoption order. Before finalizing, the judge asks if an agreement exists and, if so, adds it to the order. You can name an agent for legal notices and must file any new address within 15 days. A parent… - Home studies and safer placements for adoptions: mixed, medium. The agency must finish a home study within 60 days after it gets the parent’s intent and a complete application. A child cannot be placed until the agency gets written notice and the home study is complete; in identified adoptions, the placing parent can review a redacted home study. While checks a… - Stronger protections in Indian child adoptions: mixed, medium. For an Indian child, a parent can consent no sooner than 10 days after birth, after the court explains rights, and can withdraw consent any time before the adoption order. Adoption petitioners must make a good‑faith Indian‑child inquiry and, within 30 days, mail notice to each possible tribe and th… - Adoption fees capped; special needs waived: mixed, medium. Agencies or counties must charge reasonable fees for adoption services, but fees cannot be higher than usual local agency rates and cannot differ for identified adoptions. Agencies may waive or lower fees if you cannot pay or the child’s needs require it. If the child has special needs, agencies ca… - Adoption hearings: reports and timing: mixed, medium. The agency must verify the petition, check the child’s condition (including Indian child status), and report in writing. The court keeps the report confidential and must let you respond if the recommendation is negative. Courts usually wait at least six months after placement to enter an adoption o… - Clear consent timing and revocation rules: mixed, medium. A birth parent’s consent signed before birth or within 72 hours after birth is not valid. An unmarried non‑birth parent may consent before birth. A minor parent may consent without telling their own parents and cannot undo consent just for reaching adulthood. A specific consent becomes invalid if a… - Home study and fair review rules: mixed, medium. Agencies must do a home study that reviews medical, mental, financial, and moral backgrounds to judge suitability. Prospective adoptive parents must give fingerprints for state and FBI checks. If a study finds a home unsuitable, the agency must let the family review and respond before issuing resul… - Stronger placement rules and family preference: mixed, medium. You must send notice and get approval from the Division before placing a child with someone else. Agencies should try to place children with suitable relatives up to the fifth degree and keep siblings together when possible. Searches for relatives must finish within 1 year of the first out‑of‑home… - Court and filing rules for adoptions: mixed, low. District courts handle adoption cases, and case captions list only the adopting parties. After placement, you may file a petition that must include set facts, fit‑and‑able statements, and notes on ICWA, trafficking, abuse, and any contact or visitation orders. The court must notify nonparent custod… - Home-state rule for filing adoptions: mixed, low. You must file the adoption in the child’s home state. Home state means where the child lived for at least six months, or the state of birth for infants under six months. Temporary absences still count. If Nevada is not the home state, you may need to file in another state. - Post-adoption contact: enforceable limits: mixed, low. Breaking a post-adoption contact agreement cannot undo the adoption, revoke a valid consent or relinquishment, or lead to civil damages except as another law allows. Only an adoptive parent may ask the court to change or end contact. The court may reduce or end contact if there is a change in circu… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Brittney M. Miller (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-23 | Senate | Final Passage - Senate (2nd Reprint) | pass | 20 | 0 | | | 2025-04-22 | House | Final Passage - Assembly (1st Reprint) | pass | 41 | 1 | | ## Actions (28) - 2025-06-03: Chapter 239. (legislature) - 2025-06-03: Approved by the Governor. (legislature) - 2025-05-29: Enrolled and delivered to Governor. (legislature) - 2025-05-27: Senate Amendment No. 671 concurred in. To enrollment. (House) - 2025-05-26: In Assembly. (House) - 2025-05-23: Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved. (Yeas: 20, Nays: None, Excused: 1.) To Assembly. (Senate) - 2025-05-23: Taken from Secretary's desk. Placed on General File. (Senate) - 2025-05-23: Taken from General File. Placed on Secretary's desk. (Senate) - 2025-05-23: From printer. To re-engrossment. Re-engrossed. Second reprint. (Senate) - 2025-05-22: Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 671.) To printer. (Senate) - 2025-05-22: Placed on Second Reading File. (Senate) - 2025-05-22: From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Senate) - 2025-04-29: Read first time. Referred to Committee on Judiciary. To committee. (Senate) - 2025-04-28: In Senate. (Senate) - 2025-04-25: To Senate. (House) - 2025-04-25: From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint. (House) - 2025-04-22: To printer. (House) - 2025-04-22: Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 41, Nays: 1.) (House) - 2025-04-21: Dispensed with reprinting. (House) - 2025-04-21: Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 225.) (House) - 2025-04-21: Placed on Second Reading File. (House) - 2025-04-21: From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (House) - 2025-02-25: Notice of eligibility for exemption. (House) - 2025-02-06: From printer. To committee. (House) - 2025-02-04: To printer. (House) - 2025-02-04: Read first time. (House) - 2025-02-03: Referred to Committee on Judiciary. (House) - 2025-02-03: Prefiled. (House) ## Bill text - As Enrolled: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227_EN.pdf) - As Introduced: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227.pdf) - Reprint 1: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227_R1.pdf) - Reprint 2: [PDF](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227_R2.pdf) ## Related bills - AB188: AN ACT relating to the Public Employees' Benefits Program; requiring the Board of the Public Employees' Benefits Program to report certain information relating… (vetoed) - SB217: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting a governmental entity from substantially burdening certain activity relating to assisted reproduction under certain… (vetoed) - AB499: AN ACT relating to elections; requiring, with certain exceptions, a registered voter show photo identification to vote in person; requiring the Department of M… (vetoed) - AB397: AN ACT relating to higher education; revising provisions governing certain waivers of fees provided by the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada; revisi… (vetoed) - AB259: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting certain actions related to pricing and reimbursement for certain drugs; creating a cause of action for violating su… (vetoed) - AB234: AN ACT relating to Medicaid; requiring Medicaid to provide coverage for screening for certain forms of cancer; and providing other matters properly relating th… (signed) ## Sources - [As Enrolled (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227_EN.pdf) - [As Introduced (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227.pdf) - [Reprint 1 (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227_R1.pdf) - [Reprint 2 (PDF)](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/83rd2025/Bills/AB/AB227_R2.pdf) ## Related - [AB188: AN ACT relating to the Public Employees' Benefits Program; requiring the Board…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB188-83rd2025) - [SB217: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting a governmental entity from substant…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-SB217-83rd2025) - [AB499: AN ACT relating to elections; requiring, with certain exceptions, a registered…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB499-83rd2025) - [AB397: AN ACT relating to higher education; revising provisions governing certain waiv…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB397-83rd2025) - [AB259: AN ACT relating to health care; prohibiting certain actions related to pricing…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB259-83rd2025) - [AB234: AN ACT relating to Medicaid; requiring Medicaid to provide coverage for screeni…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB234-83rd2025) - [Nevada bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/nevada/bills) - [Nevada state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/nevada) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/NV-AB227-83rd2025 (as of 2026-11-01).