MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Judiciary, Division A
By: Senator(s) Harkins
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-17-303, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE RIGHT OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROCEED PRO SE IN THE MATTER OF REGISTRATION OF A FOREIGN ADOPTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 93-17-303, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
93-17-303. (1) A child who has automatically acquired United States citizenship following a foreign adoption and who possesses a Certificate of Citizenship in accordance with the Child Citizenship Act, Public Law 106-395, may be issued a Mississippi birth certificate upon compliance with this article and the requirements for adoptions under this chapter to the extent not superseded by this article.
(2) A parent shall not proceed under this article if the foreign adoption has been registered or otherwise finalized by a court of this or any other state.
(3) A parent who is eligible to obtain a decree of registration of a foreign adoption under this article may proceed pro se.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.