Utah adoption agency to close doors as changing laws make 'remaining operational impossible'

A Utah adoption agency closed its doors suddenly late last month, as changing laws and growing opposition to recruiting birth moms to the state “have made remaining operational impossible.”

Brighter Adoptions director Sandi Benson did not respond to requests for comment but explained the decision in an email to waiting adoptive families, a copy of which was forwarded to FOX 13 News by someone who received it.

Ashley Mitchell, co-founder of Utah Adoption Rights and an advocate for changes to the state’s laws, said in an interview with FOX 13 News that "there was an anticipation that this legislation was going to have a ripple effect.” But she was surprised to see a Utah agency close its doors before the bill was even signed into law.

“It’s very telling to me,” she added, arguing that it affirms how central out-of-state birth moms have been to the business model for many agencies here in Utah.