Expectant fathers have rights, too. However, they're often overlooked and sometimes trampled upon, even more so than expectant mothers' rights. That's what the Capital University Wells Conference wants to look at this year.

"No Parent Left Behind: Adoption and Fathers' Rights" will be held Thursday, February 17, 2007 at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Four very interesting panels are planned for the day covering various topics in adoption and how they apply to the rights of the biological father.

Panel I: “Safe Haven” Laws: Safe Haven Laws: Where are the Daddies?

Safe Haven laws provide mothers who do not want to raise their newborn with an option; they can give the baby, typically anonymously or with no questions asked, to a local agency such as a fire station, hospital, etc., so that the baby may be adopted. Everyone seems to agree that these laws help the mothers and babies, but what type of protection do they offer to the birth fathers? Safe Haven laws often aid young, unmarried mothers, but the unmarried fathers may be overlooked by Safe Haven legislation.

One of the most controversial debates behind Safe Haven law is the rights of the biological father. In a "normal" adoption plan, the birth father is at least served with papers to sign, thus alerting him to the fact that his child is being placed for adoption if he was not otherwise informed. Yet when you jump into a Safe Haven placement, as the Mother does not even have to idenitfy herself, you get a whole group of biological fathers who will not be notified in any way, shape or form. Beyond some other ethical questions concerning Safe Haven law, this is a widely controversial and debated topic which will surely provide for an interesting panel.

Panel II: Abandonment, Termination of Parental Rights and the Constitutional Contrast Between the Rights of Married and Unmarried Fathers

This presentation will look at the U.S. Supreme Court case law regarding fathers’ rights. More particularly, it will explore the Constitutional rights, or lack of, of unmarried, birth fathers. Professor Oren will discuss the termination of parental rights and contrast the Constitutional rights between married and unmarried fathers who have their rights terminated, often due to adoption of the child.

Again, highly interesting. And another visible chasm of difference in birth mother and birth father rights.

Panel III: Interstate Issues for Birth Fathers: Protecting Their Rights and a Need for a National Putative Father Registry

State laws regarding putative father registries vary greatly. They can be confusing to unmarried fathers who wish to register but interstate issues make it difficult. Professor Beck will present an update on state and national putative father registries. Putative father registries undoubtedly protect the rights of unmarried birth fathers, and a national registry would protect them even more. She will address the interstate issues for birth fathers and she also will touch on jurisdictional issues, such as amendment of long-arm statutes, personal v. subject matter jurisdiction v. notice/opportunity to be heard.

Oh! Thank goodness. A natioanl registry would stop some of the horror stories that effect both sides of the adult triad. For example, adoptions have been contested where a father registered in one state but the mother crossed state lines and delivered the baby in another. Not only were the father's rights trampled all over, but the adoptive family then had to fight through the court systems. You want less risk in adoption? Protect birth fathers' rights!

Panel IV: Looking Beyond the United States: How do other countries handle issues related to non-legal fathers in the adoption process?

Professor Mabry will discuss other countries and how they handle the issues of putative father registries, Safe Haven laws, and terminating the rights of unmarried fathers in the realm of adoption law.

I think this panel sounds absolutely fascinating. While I've written about other countries and their actions with birth mothers before, I have never stepped into the realm of researching other countries and their actions/reactions with birth fathers. It makes one stop and think for a moment, doesn't it?

For those interested in attending, you can register online. The registration deadline is February 9, 2007. There is a $50.00 fee for the conference and 6.75 hours of CLE credits are available.

Pass the word on to those who you think might be interested (or those you think should attend!). And if you do attend, shoot me an e-mail with your thoughts on the day's events and discussions.