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Families trying to adopt a child could soon see the process eased, thanks to legislation allowing them to post their profiles online.

It’s currently illegal in Alberta to post online or advertise in any way that one wants to adopt a child. That includes posts on social media or online crowd-funding sites.

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In this province, adoption rates have fallen by 25 per cent since 2008, even as wait lists creep steadily higher. Yet B.C. — which allows online advertising — has seen an increase.

Chestermere-Rocky View MLA Leela Aheer put the change forward in a private member’s bill, which Monday passed its second reading with unanimous support.

Aheer’s bill followed a similar motion by NDP MLA for Calgary-East, Robyn Luff, which also passed unanimously.

Aheer told the Journal on Monday it’s a common-sense change to legislation that hasn’t been updated for 30 years, and will bring Alberta into the 21st century.

“Let’s help these people complete their families, let’s help these expectant families give these gifts to these people,” she said.

Members from all sides of the political divide shared their personal adoption experiences during Monday’s debate, including Wildrose MLA Nathan Cooper and Liberal MLA David Swann, who have both adopted children, and Luff, who was adopted at birth.