JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Some adoption advocates are urging Gov. Jay Nixon to veto Missouri legislation focused upon international law because they fear it could complicate overseas adoptions.

The legislation would make void and unenforceable any court, arbitration, tribunal or administrative agency ruling or decision based on any foreign law or system is repugnant or inconsistent with Missouri and U.S. constitutions.

The Jefferson City News Tribune reported Tuesday that adoption advocates are concerned about how the measure would affect adoptions completed in a foreign country. They said the legislation could have unintended consequences.

"The bill would appear to leave open to interpretation whether certain international adoptions would be considered final and valid in Missouri," said Michael P. Meehan, who is the executive director of Good Shepherd Children & Family Services. It is part of St. Louis' Catholic Charities Federation.

The Lutheran Family and Children's Services told its supporters the legislation could prohibit Missouri from recognizing an adoption decree completed in the children's home country. The organization said adopted children might not be able to obtain a birth certificate in the U.S. without an adoption decree.

Sen. Brian Nieves, who sponsored the legislation, said people opposed to the legislation "are using dishonest tactics to influence whether the governor signs it."

Nixon spokeswoman Channing Ansley said the governor would thoroughly review the legislation before deciding what to do. His options are to sign, veto or allow the measure to take effect without his signature.

Nieves, R-Washington, said in an online post on his Facebook page that it appeared someone had lied to "to these good people who are trying to help families adopt." He said opponents have ignored that the legislation targets foreign laws inconsistent with the state and U.S. constitutions.

"That last half of the sentence is the essence of the entire piece of legislation," Nieves said.

During a news conference earlier this month immediately following the legislative session, Nixon lumped the international law measure in a category of "unnecessary things" that state legislators had approved.

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International law is SB267

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov

Nixon: http://www.gov.mo.gov

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Information from: Jefferson City News Tribune, http://www.newstribune.com