Ecuador Assembly approves law to speed up child adoption processes

Ecuador's National Assembly has passed a new law designed to significantly speed up adoption processes for children and adolescents. The legislation, approved in its second debate with 118 votes in favor and 25 abstentions, aims to eliminate years-long delays that have hindered families seeking to adopt.

The Organic Law Amending Various Legal Bodies for the Agility of Adoption clarifies judicial and administrative procedures, prevents redundant actions, and establishes mandatory timelines for each stage of the adoption process. It also introduces sanctions for authorities who fail to meet these deadlines. A key provision ensures that a single judge oversees the entire adoption process for a specific minor, streamlining the legal journey.

Diana Jácome, president of the Assembly's Transparency, Citizen Participation, and Social Control Commission and the bill's rapporteur, stated that the proposal incorporated input from experts, organizations, and adoptive families. She emphasized that the law guarantees the constitutional right of children and adolescents through due process, prioritizing their best interests.

Beyond streamlining the legal framework, the new law also addresses the needs of young people transitioning out of foster care. It includes provisions for educational scholarships and financial assistance, aiming to support them as they reach the age of 18 and prepare for independent living. The comprehensive reform affects several key legal codes, including the Organic General Code of Processes, the Organic Code of the Judicial Function, the Code of Children and Adolescents, and the Organic Law of Higher Education.