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Bill Would Allow Joint Adoption Between Two Unmarried People In Michigan

annarbor.com

One Democrat in the state House says it’s time to allow two unmarried people to jointly adopt children together.

We have more from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher.

Representative Jeff Irwin has sponsored similar legislation in previous terms. But it hasn’t received much support from Republican leaders.

Irwin is confident the bill would get traction if it’s given a committee hearing.

“I really believe that if people hear the stories that are coming from these families and these children, it’s going to be hard not to do the right thing,” he says.

For many same-sex couples, the issue could be decided when the U.S. Supreme Court takes up a case challenging Michigan’s gay marriage ban. But Irwin says the court’s decision won’t affect other situations – such as unmarried couples or two relatives who want to adopt.

Jake Neher is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He covers the State Legislature and other political events in Lansing.
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