To amend section 3107.02 of the Revised Code to allow an adult to be adopted if the adult is the child of the spouse of the adoption petitioner and the adult consents to the adoption.

Section 1. That section 3107.02 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 3107.02.  (A) Any minor may be adopted.

(B) An adult may be adopted under any of the following conditions:

(1) If the adult is totally and permanently disabled;

(2) If the adult is determined to be a mentally retarded person as defined in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code;

(3) If the adult had established a child-foster caregiver or child-stepparent relationship with the petitioners as a minor, and the adult consents to the adoption;

(4) If the adult was, at the time of the adult's eighteenth birthday, in the permanent custody of a public children services agency or a private child placing agency, and the adult consents to the adoption;

(5) If the adult is the child of the spouse of the petitioner, and the adult consents to the adoption.

(C) When proceedings to adopt a minor are initiated by the filing of a petition, and the eighteenth birthday of the minor occurs prior to the decision of the court, the court shall require the person who is to be adopted to submit a written statement of consent or objection to the adoption. If an objection is submitted, the petition shall be dismissed, and if a consent is submitted, the court shall proceed with the case, and may issue an interlocutory order or final decree of adoption.

(D) Any physical examination of the individual to be adopted as part of or in contemplation of a petition to adopt may be conducted by any health professional authorized by the Revised Code to perform physical examinations, including a physician assistant, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife. Any written documentation of the physical examination shall be completed by the healthcare professional who conducted the examination.

(E) An adult who consents to an adoption pursuant to division (B)(4) of this section shall provide the court with the name and contact information of the public children services agency or private child placing agency that had permanent custody of that adult. The petitioner shall request verification from the agency as to whether the adult was or was not in the permanent custody of that agency at the time of the adult's eighteenth birthday and provide the verification to the court.

Section 2. That existing section 3107.02 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.