Section 170. Child placing agency's responsibilities for consent in non-agency adoptive placements

A. At the request of the juvenile court, the child-placing agency shall:

1. Conduct a home study of the prospective adoptive home that shall include the elements in §§ 63.2-1231 and 63.2-1205.1 of the Code of Virginia and department guidance in Volume VII, Section III, Chapter D - Adoption/Non-Agency Placement and Other Court Services of the Service Program Manual of the Virginia Department of Social Services, October 2009; and

2. Provide the court with a written report of the home study.

B. The child-placing agency shall make a recommendation to the court regarding the suitability of the individual to adopt.

C. If the child-placing agency suspects an exchange of property, money, services, or any other thing of value has occurred in violation of law in the placement or adoption of the child, it shall report such findings to the commissioner for investigation. The following exceptions apply:

1. Reasonable and customary services provided by a licensed or duly authorized child-placing agency, and fees paid for such services;

2. Payment or reimbursement for medical expenses directly related to the birth mother's pregnancy and hospitalization for the birth of the child who is the subject of the adoption proceedings and for expenses incurred for medical care for the child;

3. Payment or reimbursement to birth parents for transportation necessary to execute consent to the adoption;

4. Usual and customary fees for legal services in adoption proceedings; and

5. Payment or reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by the adoptive parents for transportation in inter-country placements and as necessary for compliance with state and federal law in such placements.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 29, Issue 02, eff. November 1, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-900 of the Code of Virginia.