The Commission on the Minor and the Family in Guatemala voted to approve the Ortega Law proposal which first appeared a month ago. This does not mean this law has been passed, it means that it will be presented for a vote to the full Congress. I am not sure at this time if this proposal is exactly same as what the Commission rejected in August or when it will be voted on.
There are apparently members of Congress prepared to fight this proposal based on constitutionality and the ADA will certainly fight it. Don?t be surprised to hear a call for help on this shortly.
A story in the Prensa Libre (click here to see it) indicates that it will be part of the docket of the legislative session beginning Sept. 13. It also mentions that banning singles could be a sticky point.
As the situation progresses we will update as necessary.
How could the same proposal have been presented? Wouldn't the same people who voted against it before vote against it again? Should those of us who are in PGN now be worried that our cases may not make it through anytime soon? We were getting so close to the end!!!
Posted by: sonya at September 2, 2005 03:31 PMThe proposal (as it stood and I can't imagine them changing this) specifically states that in-process cases would be completed under old rules. The proposal doesn't really change the process much post-referal anyway. It's pre-referal that is most frightening.
This is not to say that delays are not possible IF it is passed, but ultimately you should be okay.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com
I sure hope more details come out about this new proposed law! It worries me so much. We are currently in Family Court, and have our preapproval! Thanks for keeping us up to date!
Posted by: mandy at September 2, 2005 04:34 PMjust when i thought i could relax a bit! please call on me if there is anything at all i can do - this could affect me greatly if its passed (i'm single and in homestudy process)
Posted by: mary-kate at September 3, 2005 02:18 PMIs it likely this will get voted down in 'congress' like the previous one was? I am 4mo's paper ready waiting for my referral....so close.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy at September 4, 2005 02:36 AMIs this new law designed to halt adoptions (international that is) entirely or to just change the way they are handled in the future.
Posted by: Mary at September 5, 2005 09:54 PMPlease let me know if I can do anything. I am a single in the pre-referral stage so I REALLY do not want this to pass.....
Posted by: Michelle at September 6, 2005 09:11 PMThank you for posting this info. We are so close to referral and now I am very worried. Please post any info you receive as soon as you can. Gracias.
Posted by: Michelle H at September 7, 2005 11:05 AMKevin,
Has Susana responded at all to this? I haven't read any thing from her since this came up..It's almost discouraging to have not heard from her...or else she's very busy fighting!
Daena
Posted by: Daena Wilds at September 7, 2005 08:24 PM