La. Admin. Code tit. 67 § V-5103

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-5103 - When the Petitioner Is the Stepparent of the Adoptee

A. OHD/DES shall no longer provide a full investigation and court report in stepparent adoptions unless so ordered by the court. Henceforth, adoption petition workers shall investigate stepparent adoptions only to the extent necessary. The investigation shall:

1. determine the availability of the child for adoption; and

2. where the child is age 13 or over, determine the circumstances of the child and his/her attitude toward the adoption.

B. The investigation and court report shall cover the following areas depending on the circumstances of the case.

1. Availability of the child for adoption:

a. name, birthdate and birthplace of child as verified by birth certificate when available;

b. relationship of child to petitioner(s);

c. legal status of petitioner(s) i.e., verification of current marriage and previous deaths/divorces effecting status;

d. name of legal/biological parents and information concerning their attitude about the adoption and awareness of the implications.

2. Information on the child:

a. child under 13:

i. age of the child(ren);

ii. length of time child has resided with the petitioner(s);

iii. how the child came into the home of the petitioner(s);

b. child 13 or over:

i. age of the child(ren);

ii. length of time child has resided with the petitioner(s);

iii. how the child came into the home of the petitioner(s);

iv. description of child including physical characteristics, personality, general health (no physical exam required), grade placement, and activities;

v. child's adjustment;

vi. child's relationship with petitioners and others in the home.

La. Admin. Code tit. 67, § V-5103

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Human Development, Division of Evaluation and Services, LR 10:342 (April 1984), Amended by the Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Welfare, LR 4613 (1/1/2020), effective 2/1/2020.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 9:427.