(1)Reports and Investigation.(a) In all cases in which the Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families is the intermediary, the Court may rely on the intermediary's report and will not require an investigation by a court appointed investigator. In all other cases, with the exception of those treated differently by statute, an investigation shall be conducted by a court appointed investigator who, in the investigator's discretion, may rely upon the report of a voluntary child care agency acting as intermediary.(b) If the report of the intermediary or the investigator is not filed within six (6) months of the filing of the report of intention to adopt (or the appointment of the investigator), the Court, on motion of any party, may issue a rule upon the intermediary or investigator to appear and show cause why the report has not been filed.(c) If there is not an intermediary named in the report of intention to adopt, the attorney shall attach an affidavit to the report which shall explain in detail how the persons filing the report received possession of the adoptee from the birth parent(s), who arranged for the exchange of possession of the adoptee, how the person(s) filing the report received knowledge of the existence of the availability of the adoptee for potential adoption, and any other information the attorney may have regarding the relationship of the persons filing the report to the birth parent(s) and how the adoption was arranged.(2)Disclosure of Fees and Costs of Intermediary.(a) All intermediaries, other than Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families, shall submit with the report of intention to adopt, an itemized report disclosing all adoption related fees, expenses, and charges. No investigator will be appointed and no hearings will be scheduled until this information has been filed.(b) Counsel shall certify on the report offered into evidence that the adopting parent(s) has been given a copy of the report and fees.(3)Required Submissions. In the course of causing an investigation to be made pursuant to statute, an agency or person designated by the Court to conduct such investigation, or the agency which placed the child, shall require prospective adoptive parents to submit or authorize collection of the following information pursuant to statute. Prospective adoptive parents who are not residents of Pennsylvania shall submit an equivalent criminal history record information and certificate from the state police and human services departments of the state where they reside.
(a) Pursuant to statute, a report of criminal history record information from the Pennsylvania State Police or a statement from the Pennsylvania State Police that its central repository contains no such information related to that person. Such criminal record history information shall be limited to that which is disseminated pursuant to statute; and(c) A certification from the Department of Human Services as to whether the applicant is named in the central register as the perpetrator of a founded or indicated report of child abuse. The required certificate shall be valid if dated within twenty-four (24) months prior to the placement of the child by the agency. In the case of a private placement, the certificate shall be valid if dated within twenty-four (24) months of the Court hearing.Chest. Cnty. Ct. Comm. Plea. R. 15.5A