R512.  Human Services, Child and Family Services.
R512-41.  Qualifying Adoptive Families and Adoption Placement.
R512-41-1.  Purpose and Authority.
	(1)  The purpose of this rule is to define the requirements used to qualify adoptive parent(s) and the criteria for adoption placement used by the Division of Child and Family Services (Child and Family Services).
	(2)  This rule is authorized by Section 62A-4a-102. This rule also incorporates by reference Public Law 110-351 (2008).

R512-41-2.  Definitions.
	(1)  For the purpose of this rule the following definitions apply:
	(a)  "Adoptive parent(s)" means a couple or individual who completes Child and Family Services training and has a completed home study for prospective adoptive parent(s) and is approved by Child and Family Services.
	(b)  "Permanency" means the establishment and maintenance of a permanent living situation for a child to give the child an internal sense of family stability and belonging and a sense of self that connects the child to his or her past, present, and future.

R512-41-3.  Requirements for Adoptive Parent(s).
	(1)  Prospective adoptive parent(s) who apply to adopt a child in the custody of Child and Family Services, including a relative of a child or a Child and Family Services employee, must meet all of the requirements listed in Rule R512-40.

R512-41-4.  Adoption Decision.
	(1)  Permanency decisions should be made in a timely manner, recognizing the child's developmental needs and sense of time.  Child and Family Services shall make intensive efforts to place the child with the adoptive parent(s) within 30 days after the court determined a permanency goal of adoption for the child.
	(2)  When the child is not residing with the family that will adopt the child, Child and Family Services will reconsider any potential kinship caregivers or other adults known to the child.
	(3)  Concurrently, the Adoption Committee or committees should seek other resource families in all regions of the state to select adoptive parent(s) who could meet the child's needs.
	(4)  If adoptive parent(s) are not found for the child within 30 days of the primary permanency goal becoming adoption, the child must be registered with The Adoption Exchange to help recruit adoptive parents.
	(5)  Geographic boundaries alone should not present barriers or delays to the selection of adoptive parent(s).
	(6)  The Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1915 (January 3, 2007), takes precedence for an adoption of an Indian child who is a member of a federally recognized tribe or Alaskan Native village.
	(7)  Placements will be made in accordance with the Interethnic Adoption Act, 42 USC 1996b (2010).

R512-41-5.  Matching the Child and the Adoptive Parent(s).
	(1)  The selection of the adoptive parent(s) for a child or sibling group will be determined based on the best interest of the child.
	(2)  The decision must be based on a thorough assessment of the child's current and potential development, medical, emotional, and educational needs, as well as needs for family connections.
	(3)  The capacity of the prospective adoptive parent(s) to successfully meet the child's needs and to love and accept the child as a fully integrated member of the family must be considered.
	(4)  The child's preference may be considered, if the child has the capacity to express a preference.
	(5)  Sibling groups should not be separated.
	(a)  If siblings are not placed together and there are no safety concerns that preclude the siblings being together, Child and Family Services should reconsider a family for all the siblings to be adopted together.
	(b)  If the siblings are not able to be adopted together or if being taken from a current family would create undue trauma to the child, arrangements should be made to allow life-long contact to be pursued between the adoptive families of the separated siblings.
	(6)  Current caregivers of the child should be considered for adoption if the child has substantial emotional ties with the foster parent(s)/caregiver and if removal of the child from the foster parent(s)/caregiver would be detrimental to the child's well-being.
	(7)  Child and Family Services shall provide detailed information about the child to the prospective adoptive parent(s), allowing sufficient time for the prospective adoptive parent(s) to make an informed decision regarding placement of the child.  The information given to the prospective adoptive parent(s) must include detailed information available in writing that is important to raise the child.  Child and Family Services and the prospective adoptive parent(s) will acknowledge receipt of the information by signing a Child and Family Services' information disclosure form.  Child and Family Services shall respond to questions or concerns of the prospective adoptive parent(s).  The prospective adoptive parent(s) shall have the opportunity to meet the child prior to permanent placement. Release of all documents is subject to the Government Records Access Management Act, Title 63G, Chapter 2 and other governing statutes.
	(8)  When the approved adoptive parent(s) agree to accept the placement of a child for adoption, the adoptive parent(s) and a representative from Child and Family Services shall sign an agreement for the intent to adopt a specific child on a form provided by Child and Family Services.
	(9)  When the adoptive parent(s) agree to accept the placement of a child who is not free for adoption, the parent(s) shall sign Child and Family Services' foster care agreement.

R512-41-6.  Placement.
	(1)  Child and Family Services will make every effort to make a smooth and effective transition of the child to the prospective adoptive parent(s) with the cooperation of the foster family and others who have a supportive relationship with the child.
	(2)  All out-of-home requirements continue to be applicable until the adoption is finalized.
	(3)  The prospective adoptive parent(s) will have access to all relevant information in the case record to help them understand and accept the child and preserve the child's history.
	(4)  The prospective adoptive parent(s) shall be advised about adoption assistance available to meet the special needs of the child before and after the adoption is final, as well as of community services.
	(5)  Child and Family Services will develop a Child and Family Plan within 30 days of placement and supervise the adoptive placement, including frequent visits with the child and adoptive family for at least the first six months after placement.
	(6)  Child and Family Services' supervision will continue until the adoption is final.

R512-41-7.  Adoption Disruption/Removal of a Child from Adoptive Parent(s) Prior to Finalization.
	(1)  Child and Family Services shall consider removal of a child before an adoption is finalized if the adoptive parent(s) request removal or if serious circumstances impair the child's security or development.
	(2)  Prior to removal, Child and Family Services shall respond to the adoptive parent(s)' concerns in a timely manner, counsel with the adoptive parent(s), and, if possible and appropriate, offer further treatment, including intensive in-home services or temporary removal of the child from the home for respite purposes.
	(3)  When removal is recommended, the Adoption Committee shall review the placement progress and present situation, and shall decide to either continue placement with further services or to remove the child from the home.  The region director will review and approve the decision.
	(4)  If the Adoption Committee decides to remove the child, a Notice of Agency Action shall be sent to the adoptive parent(s), notifying them of their due process rights.  The adoptive parent(s) shall be offered the same rights as those offered a foster family regarding removal of a child (Rule R512-31).
	(5)  Child and Family Services will reconsider any potential kinship caregivers if the child is disrupted or removed from an adoptive placement or a permanent placement has not been identified.

R512-41-8.  Adoption Finalization and Post Adoption.
	(1)  Before an adoption is final, the Adoption Assistance Committee shall assess if the child qualifies for adoption assistance and, when appropriate, what level of monthly subsidy the child is eligible to receive (Rule R512-43).
	(2)  The prospective adoptive family shall be made aware of available post adoption resources.

R512-41-9.  Adoption Committee.
	(1)  An Adoption Committee will be appointed in each Child and Family Services region and will consist of at least three members to include senior-level Child and Family Services staff and one or more members from an outside agency with expertise in adoption or foster care.
	(2)  The Adoption Committee is responsible for deciding adoptive parent(s) who can best meet the needs of a child when the child is not residing with the family that will adopt. The Adoption Committee is also responsible for recommending removal of the child from a placement when indicated.
	(3)  Anyone who has information regarding the child and the prospective adoptive parents under consideration may be invited by the Adoption Committee to present information but not to participate in the deliberations.
	(4)  Any member of the Adoption Committee who has a potential conflict of interest must recuse himself or herself from the proceeding.
	(5)  The Adoption Committee will reach its decision through consensus.  If consensus cannot be reached, the Adoption Committee will submit their recommendation to the region director for a decision.
	(6)  Child and Family Services will send written notification of selection to the adoptive parent(s).
	(7)  A family or individual that is not selected for an adoption placement of a specific child shall have no right to appeal the decision, unless the parent(s) not selected for the adoptive placement is the child's current foster parent(s) and the foster parent(s) have completed all requirements.  If the foster parent(s) are not selected for the adoptive placement, the foster parent(s) due process rights for removal of a child apply (Rule R512-31).
	(8)  The adoption committee will make and retain a written record of their proceedings.  All proceedings are confidential.

R512-41-10.  Adult Adoptee or Adoptive Parent(s) Request for Records.
	(1)  The adoption records of Child and Family Services shall be made available to the adoptive parent(s) or adult adoptee upon written request in accordance with the Government Records Access Management Act, Title 63G, Chapter 2.  An adult adoptee may also register with the Utah Department of Health Mutual-Consent, Voluntary Adoption Registry, Section 78B-6-144 to attempt to contact biological family members.

R512-41-11.  Information Regarding the Adoptive Parent(s).
	(1)  No identifying information regarding the adoptive parent(s) shall be released to birth families without the written consent of the adoptive parent(s).

KEY:  child welfare, adoption
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment:  November 21, 2019
Notice of Continuation:  October 15, 2018
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  62A-4a-102; 62A-4a-105; 62A-4a-205.6