Laws on Adoption & Foster Parenting for Lesbians in Kansas
According to the Kansas Census Snapshot, in 2005 the state was home to more than 6,500 same-sex couples. Of those couples, about 17 percent were parenting. Kansas' laws on foster care and adoption do not specifically address lesbian identity, but can be used as guideposts for lesbians who wish to foster or adopt children.
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Kansas State Law on Adoption
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Kansas state law allows any adult to adopt a child. It also allows a husband and a wife to adopt jointly.
Single lesbians can adopt in Kansas. State law requires that prospective adoptive parents be assessed on:
Financial status
History of child abuse or neglect
Felony conviction status
Health status and genetic history
Condition of home
Capacity to care for child
Foster Parenting in Kansas
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According to the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, foster care services are provided through community-based organizations. TFI Family Services, one such provider, lists these requirements for people to become resource foster parents in Kansas:
Be at least 21 years old
Have a permanent residence
Have enough space to provide a bed for each child
Earn adequate income
Complete training that allows an educated decision about fostering
Provide three personal references
Pass state fingerprinting and Child Abuse Registry background checks
Pass a home inspection for safety
Lesbians Becoming Parents in Kansas
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Single lesbians are not prohibited from adopting or fostering in Kansas.
There are no explicit laws prohibiting lesbian couples from adopting or fostering, but state adoption law requires that a couple be married to adopt together. Because same-sex marriage is not legal in Kansas, in practice lesbians are not allowed to adopt jointly.
Because community organizations organize foster care and adoption in Kansas, eligibility requirements may vary among service providers.
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