Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 5 D · 1 I cosponsors

H 98 — An act relating to confirmatory adoptions and standby guardianships

Last action — House message: Governor approved bill on May 22, 2025

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 22, 2025.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 78% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 6 sponsors

    6 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (5 D · 1 I) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

192 added · 108 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill H.98 has been revised to streamline the confirmatory adoption process for parents who conceived through assisted reproduction. It removed specific methods of assisted reproduction like in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection from the definition, simplifying the language. This matters because it allows for a quicker and less complicated legal pathway for these families to secure their parental rights, making the adoption process more accessible.

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AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.98 Page 1 of 5 H.98 An act relating to confirmatory adoptions It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 1 of 9 H.98 Introduced by Representatives Rachelson of Burlington, Arsenault of Williston, Christie of Hartford, Goodnow of Brattleboro, Headrick of Burlington, and LaLonde of South Burlington Referred to Committee on Date:
Subject:
Adoption;
confirmatory adoption Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to establish an expedited confirmatory adoption process for parents who conceived a child through assisted reproduction and are parents under State law.
An act relating to confirmatory adoptions It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
§ 1-114.
§ 1-114.
CONFIRMATORY ADOPTION FOR CHILDREN BORN THROUGH ASSISTED REPRODUCTION (a) As used in this section:
CONFIRMATORY ADOPTION FOR CHILDREN BORN THROUGH ASSISTED REPRODUCTION  (a) As used in this section:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 2 of 9 (C) donation of embryos;
(D) in vitro fertilization and transfer of embryos;
and (E) intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
(2) “Marriage” includes civil union and any legal relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as marriage and is recognized as valid in the state or jurisdiction in which it was entered.
(3) “Petitioners” means the persons filing a petition for adoption in accordance with this section.
(b) Whenever a child is born as a result of assisted reproduction and the person or persons who did not give birth are a parent pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
§ 703 or presumed parent pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
§ 401 and the parents seek to file a petition to confirm parentage through an adoption of the child, the court shall permit the parents to file a petition for adoption in accordance with this section.
(c) A complete petition shall comprise the following:
(1) the petition for adoption signed by all parties;
(2) a copy of the petitioners’ marriage certificate, if petitioners are married;
(3) a declaration signed by the person who gave birth and the person who did not give birth explaining the circumstances of the child’s birth BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 3 of 9 through assisted reproduction, attesting to their consent to assisted reproduction, and attesting that no competing claims of parentage exist;
and (4) a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.
(d) A complete petition for adoption, as described in subsection (c) of this section, shall serve as the petitioners’ written consents to adoption and no additional consent or notice shall be required.
(e) If the petitioners conceived through assisted reproduction with donor gametes or donor embryos pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
chapter 7, the court shall not require notice of the adoption to the donor or consent to the adoption by the donor.
(f) Unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause shown and supported by written findings of the court demonstrating good cause, for purposes of evaluating and granting a petition for adoption pursuant to this section, the court shall not require:
(1) an in-person hearing or appearance;
(2) an investigation or home study by, a notice to, or the approval of the Department for Children and Families;
(3) a criminal-record check;
(4) verification that the child is not registered with the federal register for missing children or the central register;
or (5) a minimum residency period in the home of the petitioners.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 4 of 9 (g) The court shall grant the adoption under this section and issue an adoption decree within 30 days upon finding that:
(1) for marital parents, the parent who gave birth and the spouse were married at the time of the child’s birth and the child was born through assisted reproduction;
or (2) for nonmarital parents:
(A) the person who gave birth and the nonmarital parent consented to the assisted reproduction;
and (B) there are no competing claims of parentage or that any other person with a claim to parentage of the child who is required to be provided notice of, or who must consent to, the adoption has been notified or provided consent to the adoption.
(h) A petition to adopt a child pursuant to this section shall not be denied on the basis that any of the petitioners’ parentage is already presumed or legally recognized in Vermont.
(i) When parentage is presumed or legally recognized pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
§ 201, the fact that the parties did not petition for adoption pursuant to this section shall not be considered as evidence when two or more presumptions conflict, nor in determining the best interests of the child.
Sec.
2.
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EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on September 1, 2025.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 5 of 9 Sec.
1.
15A V.S.A.
§ 1-114 is added to read:
§ 1-114.
CONFIRMATORY ADOPTION FOR CHILDREN BORN THROUGH ASSISTED REPRODUCTION  (a) As used in this section:
(1) “Assisted reproduction” means a method of causing pregnancy other than sexual intercourse and includes:
(A) intrauterine, intracervical, or vaginal insemination;
(B) donation of gametes;
VT LEG #381154 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.98 Page 2 of 5 (3) “Marriage” includes civil union and any legal relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as marriage and is recognized as valid in the state or jurisdiction in which it was entered.
(3) “Marriage” includes civil union and any legal relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 6 of 9 marriage and is recognized as valid in the state or jurisdiction in which it was entered.
§ 703 or presumed parent pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
§ 703 or presumed parent pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
§ 401 and the parents seek to file a petition to confirm parentage through an adoption of the child, the court shall permit the parents to file a petition for adoption in accordance with this section.
§ 401 and the parents seek to file a petition to confirm parentage through an adoption of the child, the court shall permit the parents to file a petition for adoption in accordance with this section.
VT LEG #381154 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.98 Page 3 of 5 (d) A complete petition for adoption, as described in subsection (c) of this section, shall serve as the petitioners’ written consents to adoption and no additional consent or notice shall be required.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 7 of 9 (d) A complete petition for adoption, as described in subsection (c) of this section, shall serve as the petitioners’ written consents to adoption and no additional consent or notice shall be required.
VT LEG #381154 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.98 Page 4 of 5 (1) for marital parents, the parent who gave birth and the spouse were married at the time of the child’s birth and the child was born through assisted reproduction;
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 8 of 9 (1) for marital parents, the parent who gave birth and the spouse were married at the time of the child’s birth and the child was born through assisted reproduction;
Service of the notice and petition shall be made in a manner appropriate under the Vermont Rules of Probate Procedure unless the court otherwise directs.
Service of the notice and petition shall be made in a manner appropriate under the Vermont Rules of Probate Procedure unless the court BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.98 Page 9 of 9 otherwise directs.
VT LEG #381154 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.98 Page 5 of 5 Proof of service on each person entitled to receive notice shall be on file with the court before the court acts on the petition.
Proof of service on each person entitled to receive notice shall be on file with the court before the court acts on the petition.
(i) A petition to adopt a child pursuant to this section shall not be denied on the basis that any of the petitioners’ parentage is already presumed or legally recognized in Vermont.
(h) (i) A petition to adopt a child pursuant to this section shall not be denied on the basis that any of the petitioners’ parentage is already presumed or legally recognized in Vermont.
(j) When parentage is presumed or legally recognized pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
(i) (j) When parentage is presumed or legally recognized pursuant to 15C V.S.A.
§ 201, the fact that a person did not petition for adoption pursuant to this section shall not be considered as evidence when two or more presumptions conflict, nor in determining the best interests of the child.
§ 201, the fact that a person did not petition for adoption pursuant to this section shall not be considered as evidence when two or more presumptions conflict, nor in determining the best interests of the child.
VT LEG #381154 v.1
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Amendments

2 amendments

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Action History

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on May 22, 2025

  2. Signed by Governor on May 22, 2025

  3. Delivered to the Governor on May 16, 2025

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

  5. Title revised via Rule 41

  6. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

  7. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/13/2025

  8. Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 13, 2025

  9. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington moved to postpone action until 5/13/2025, which was agreed to

  10. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  11. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

  12. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  13. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  14. New Business/Third Reading

  15. 3rd reading ordered

  16. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

  17. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Hashim for Committee on Judiciary

  18. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

  19. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

  20. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

  21. New Business/Second Reading

  22. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

  23. Second Reading

  24. Entered on Notice Calendar

  25. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary

  26. Read third time and passed

  27. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington moved to amend the bill, which was agreed to

  28. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  29. Third Reading ordered

  30. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

  31. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington reported for the Committee on Judiciary

  32. Read second time

  33. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 2/19/2025

  34. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington moved to postpone action until 2/19/2025, which was agreed to

  35. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 2/18/2025

  36. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 2/18/2025

  37. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington moved to postpone action until 2/18/2025, which was agreed to

  38. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  39. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  40. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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6 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 184 not signed on

Sponsors (6)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (184)

184 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 184 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors H 98?
H 98 is sponsored by Martin J LaLonde (Democrat), Troy Headrick (Independent), Ian Goodnow (Democrat), Kevin "Coach" B Christie (Democrat), Angela Arsenault (Democrat), and Barbara Rachelson (Democrat).
What is the current status of H 98?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track H 98?
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