Tranlsation:

THERE IS A WILL TO APPROVE BILL OF ADOPTIONS

Synopsis: The president of Congress, Congressman Ruben Dario Morales Velíz, relied on the political will of the bench High Agency that confirms to the law on adoptions will be approved at the next regular meeting. (Author: Hector Solis on behalf of the Department of Social Communication, 14/Noviembre/2007, 17:37)

"I have raised before the Heads of Bloc, which through a motion between them, privileged to know that the Bill will regulate the process of child adoptions," he said.

The chairman of the Legislative added that the heads of Bloc have expressed their willingness to adopt the future rule of law for the benefit of Guatemalan children.

"I have seen an interest that the Adoption Act, to come into force along with the Hague Convention, on December 31," he noted.

In the above adds that in relation to the integration of the central authority of adoptions, it was agreed that the Attorney General's Office, the Social Welfare Department of the Presidency and the Supreme Court, will be the bodies that will shape the central authority .

I get a hacker defacing message when I try to pull up your link, Kevin. Thanks Marie for the comment!

Janet

I checked the Guat Congress's web site at 5:50am, and it had been hacked and defaced by the eMP3R0r Hacking Team.

If it goes away, I've got a screen shot of it.

Just letting you know that the link is no longer valid. A website comes up that says something along the lines of this site has been hacked. Another example of idiots thinking they are funny.

OK...so what does that mean? Does that mean that "in-process" cases will be allowed to continue the way they are, or will they have to adhear to the new laws after Dec.31st? We are trying to stay positive, but the unknown is killing us. We are 6 weeks in PGN. Thanks.

what does that mean? what about in process cases? any help would be great.

Please Please tell me they are going to vote on the grandfather clause on the same day. I can't take this stress much longer. it is eating me up from the inside out.

I would like to know WHICH law of adoptions they are referring to. Seems like we've got 3 on the table right now.

I'm completely confused now. I thought that there were several amendments outlined that they were to vote on yesterday (11/14). One of those was a "strong" grandfather clause. So am I correct in assuming that this did not occur? We are in FC, awaiting to enter PGN. Still not even sure what "in-process" is technically defined as being. POA regstered, in PGN???? Please someone help and clarify what is going on. I don't want to wait until December to find out if there will be a grandfather clause, or if we'll be able to bring our little girl home under the old laws.

Bewildered and Confused - waiting for our darling Avery

Jess,

I agree! I just wish we would hear something (good or bad.)

I would also like to know what this means for adoptions that are approved through the judicial system instead of approved by PGN (after December 31st,07).
Lizzie

Jess beat me to it, it's killing me too. We haven't entered PGN yet but have accepted a referral of a baby boy, and all I want is to bring him home. We just want answers about the grandfather clause. Any news about any of it??

The congressional notes indicate that they are being asked to decide something next week, and they are being encouraged to get it done before the current session ends.

I was just approved by PGN on november 12th. Does this mean that if they don't have a grandfather clause, I won't be able to bring home my son? I should be traveling around january 8th.

Kevin, what do you mean by alternate piece of legislation. thanks so much

I just went through the whole "order of the day" for Tues. Nov. 20th and it's not on there? Are they planning it for later that week? I don't see what you are talking about?

Kevin,

The Prensa Libre website states today, November 15th, that the adoption law will be approved by November 30th. There is a mention of "articles", which probably refers to amendments, however no specific mention of grandfathering, although that has been reported in the past to be an amendment.

http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2007/noviembre/16/index.html

Robert

Kelly, if you were approved by PGN, you are in the clear, regardless of whether they pass a grandfather clause. You are now the legal parent. When you travel is not relevant.

Debbie (Zoe's mom)
Guatemala City BC 11/12
Passport 11/13
Orange 11/14
DNA taken 11/14
E-PINK?????????

In response to earlier posts -- it is my understanding that if you get thru PGN prior to January 1, 2008, the baby is yours for purposes of Guatemalan law and you just have processing on the U.S. side to take care of before pickup. Therefore, the grandfather is not relevant to your case. You're good to go.

Also, the blurb on the Guatemalan Congress web page talks about several items that will be considered before the end of the next week. The adoption legislation is included. This the relevant portion -- "...and the Adoption Act, are part of the agenda for the regular sessions of next week,..."

Please Kevin tell us what they mean by alternate peice of legislation. Do you think there is chance we wont have a grandfather clause voted on by the end of the year?

Thanks!

By saying it could become a new piece of legislation I mean that there are many substantial ammendments to the bill and from what I am hearing there isnot consensus among a majority of Congree. So it is possible that the bill could be altered to hte point where it really retains little of the law as it is currently written. But this has nothing to do with grandfathering.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

Kevin, is that to mean no grandfathering to be voted on? I dont understand . please let me know thanks so much

Joan, it does not mean that at all. The grandfather clause will be voted on. But it is not clear that this bill has consensus in any final form. That could cause a new bill to be drafted.

Everyone, I really don't think you have to worry about grandfathering no matter what the "new system" looks like. The question may be what additional steps Guatemala might take. BUT, your referals will be honored and your cases will be completed under the notarial system unless something extremely unexpectred and unconstitutional occurs.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

I understand that once PGN approves you that you are "supposed" to be in the clear from the Guat. side, however I keep hearing these stories about BC's being withheld by local CR's and towns people just because they don't "support" adoption....what legal back-up will we have on that side if Guat. doesn't vote on these ammendments in time?? How can all these people be waiting for BC's for many months?

Kevin, thanks so much for your input and all that you do. I am very greatful for this site! thank you Joan

Thanks, Kevin (& Kelly), for so diligently keeping us up-to-date. We know you don't have a crystal ball or a secret "in" with the Guatemalan government, but your experience and insight is invaluable.