Kubacki Presented Friend Of Adoption Award
State Representative Rebecca Kubacki (R-Syracuse) was presented with the Indiana Adoption Agencies United 2014 Friend of Adoption Award. The award was given by IAAU President Doug Linville at the Statehouse.
“I have adoptive children of my own and understand what a gift it is,” said Rep. Kubacki. “One of my goals as a legislator has been to make Indiana the most adoption-friendly state in our nation. I am incredibly humbled to receive this award and hope to continue to look for new ways to create Hoosier families by bringing together children with loving parents.”
IAAU is a statewide coalition of adoption agencies whose members are focused on providing wrap-around agency-based adoption services. IAAU agencies work with adoptees, adoptive families and birth mothers and fathers with the best interest of the adoptive child in mind.
“As the chair of the House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee, Representative Rebecca Kubacki had been a champion for adoption, particularly during the recent legislative session,” said IAAU President Doug Linville. “On behalf of IAAU, I am pleased to present our ‘2014 Friend of Adoption’ award today to Rep. Kubacki for her leadership in authoring HEA 1222, and for making Indiana a more adoption-friendly state.”
During the 2014 legislative session, Rep. Kubacki authored House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1222, which provides an adjusted gross income tax credit for individuals that qualify for the federal adoption credit. Through this law, qualifying Hoosiers are eligible for a state tax credit equal to 10 percent of the qualifying federal adoption credit amount claimed on their federal income tax return starting in 2015.
HEA 1222 also established the Interim Committee on Adoption, which will research adoption programs in other states and within the state, make recommendations for improving adoption programs in Indiana and report their findings to the governor and the Department of Child Services. The committee, consisting of nine members appointed by the governor, would review the relationships between state agencies and private, faith-based and community organizations in other states across the nation to determine potential ways for Indiana to improve its adoption programs.