ADOPTION

Regulation Authority:

42-35: 42-72-5

Purpose and Reason:

This rule has been amended in compliance with State Plan requirements under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended by Federal law. This revised rule includes provisions of Public Law (P.L.) 109-239, Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Care Children Act of 2006, which requires that in-State and out-of-State adoption resources must be considered and requires the safe and timely placement of children into permanent homes across State lines. This rule includes mandates of P.L. 109-248, Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, which requires criminal background checks for prospective foster and adoptive parents and child abuse and neglect registry checks for prospective foster and adoptive parents and adult members of their households. This rule also provides, in compliance with P.L 110-351, Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, that siblings must be placed together unless it is contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings, and prospective adoptive parents must be informed about the adoption tax credit. Additionally, this rule reflects that RIGL 15-7-2.1 requires a pre-adoption report be submitted to prospective adoptive parents by DCYF or the licensed child placement agency that is placing a child for adoption. The previous version of this policy, refiled 1/5/07, is superseded by this amended version. As a result of comments received, the final rule includes the following change that was not part of the proposed rule: language was revised to reflect the current name of the DCYF unit that provides permanency supports.