Rule 8 - Investigation and Final Report(a) IN GENERAL. The reporting agency must investigate and file the Final Report required by D.C. Code § 16-307 (2012 Repl.) within 90 days after the petition and initial order are provided to the reporting agency or within the time frame specified by the court.(b) FORMAT AND CONTENT OF FINAL REPORT.(1)In General. The Final Report must be filed on the form maintained by the court or on a form that is substantially similar in format and content.(2)Unknown or Missing Information. If any information required by the form is not reasonably available, the court may waive the requirement for that information. If the court waives the requirement, the court may enter an adoption decree without that information.(3)Certification and Signatures. The social worker who prepared the Final Report and the supervisor who approved it must sign the Final Report and certify that the information contained in the Final Report is true and correct to the best of their knowledge.(c) SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT. If the reporting agency learns about material facts or material changes in circumstances after submitting the Final Report, the reporting agency must immediately file a supplemental report that states:(1) the newly discovered material facts or material changes in circumstances; and(2) whether the recommendation remains the same.(d) MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH INVESTIGATION AND FINAL REPORT. If the petitioner files a motion to dispense with the investigation and the Final Report under D.C. Code § 16-308 (2012 Repl.), the court may decide the motion without waiting the 14-day period for an opposition to be filed.COMMENT
This rule includes provisions previously found in Rule 7. The content of the Final Report was removed from the rules to allow more flexibility to amend it. The form maintained by the court requests the information required by D.C. Code § 16-307 (2012 Repl.).