2012 Senate Bill 1232

Senate Roll Call 680: Passed

To require that in foster care, termination of parental rights, adoptions, and other legal matters involving an Indian child, officials must make “active efforts” to provide “culturally appropriate” services in collaboration with the tribe that “assure cultural connections” to the tribe, including “adoptive placements that will reflect the unique value of Indian culture.” Among other things, this would restrict adoptions of a Native American child by a non-native American family. The bill would also establish that “an Indian tribe has exclusive jurisdiction” over any child custody matter involving an Indian child who lives within the reservation.

36 Yeas / 2 Nays
Republican (24 Yeas / 2 Nays)
Democrat (12 Yeas / 0 Nays)