Panama debates adoption reforms to speed up processes and prioritize children

Panama's National Assembly has approved a bill in its first debate that seeks to reform the country's adoption system, aiming to streamline processes and better serve the interests of minors. Currently, 51 children and adolescents are in the adoption system, while 31 families are deemed suitable to adopt.

A significant concern highlighted during discussions is that a substantial number of children awaiting adoption are over seven years old or have disabilities. These factors can make it more challenging for them to find adoptive families. Paulette Thomas, president of the Commission for Women and Children, criticized potential adopters who approach the process with a checklist of desired characteristics for a child, stating, “I think this is not about making a list from Santa Claus of how you want your child to be, but rather what God sends you.”

The approved bill, project 570, modifies Law 46 of 2013 on adoptions. It aims to expedite the declaration of adoptability for children whose parentage is unknown. Lizbeth Remis, director of Adoptions at Senniaf, explained that the changes are intended to make investigations more efficient. Another proposed reform, project 140, which offers a comprehensive overhaul of adoption legislation, is pending further discussion.

Alexandra Brenes, a deputy, noted the current imbalance of 31 suitable families versus 51 children needing homes. She emphasized that the reforms aim to ensure a genuine intention to adopt and prioritize the child's well-being. The proposals also seek to address situations where families decide not to proceed after a trial period, potentially barring them from future adoption applications. The reforms intend to speed up investigations and strengthen the system to guarantee the welfare of children and adolescents.