The federal Child Citizenship Act of 2000 provides that a child born outside the United States shall automatically become a citizen of the United States when all of specified conditions have been fulfilled, including that at least one parent of the child is a citizen of the United States and the child is under 18 years of age. The federal act applies these provisions to an adopted child if the adopted child satisfies the applicable requirements under a specified provision of federal law. Existing state law generally provides for the adoption of a child native to a foreign country by a prospective adoptive parent or parents who are California residents that is either finalized in another country or this state.

This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation related to foreign-born child adoptees who are now adults and would make related findings and declarations.