KEY ISSUES IN ADOPTION LEGISLATION - A CALL FOR RESEARCH

This paper examines the underlying assumptions associated with two key areas of adoption legislation where there is variation across jurisdi ctions and calls for change. These legislative issues are consent and openness. In each area, there is very little social research which mig ht otherwise offer insight into how to best formulate legislation in a way that would serve the needs of various members of the adoption exp erience. The primary goal of this paper is to consider key legal issue s associated with consent and openness and make recommendations for ho w research might provide important information that could serve as gui des for a legislative re-evaluation of these areas.