2006 Indiana Code - CHAPTER 7. PRIOR APPROVAL OF PLACEMENT OF CHILD IN PROPOSED ADOPTIVE HOME

IC 31-19-7
     Chapter 7. Prior Approval of Placement of Child in Proposed Adoptive Home

IC 31-19-7-1
Prior written approval of placements; criminal history checks
    31-19-7-1 Sec. 1. (a) Except:
        (1) for:
            (A) a child sought to be adopted by a stepparent;
            (B) a child sought to be adopted by a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle; or
            (C) a child received by the petitioner for adoption from an agency outside Indiana with the written consent of the department; or
        (2) if the court in its discretion, after a hearing held upon proper notice, has waived the requirement for prior written approval;
a child may not be placed in a proposed adoptive home without the prior written approval of a licensed child placing agency or county office of family and children approved for that purpose by the department.
    (b) Except as provided in subsection (d), before giving prior written approval for placement in a proposed adoptive home of a child who is under the care and supervision of:
        (1) the juvenile court; or
        (2) the department of child services;
a licensed child placing agency or the department of child services shall conduct a criminal history check (as defined in IC 31-9-2-22.5) concerning the proposed adoptive parent and any other person who is currently residing in the proposed adoptive home.
    (c) The prospective adoptive parent shall pay the fees and other costs of the criminal history check required under this section.
    (d) A licensed child placing agency or the department of child services is not required to conduct a criminal history check (as defined in IC 31-9-2-22.5) if a prospective adoptive parent provides the licensed child placing agency or county office of family and children with the results of a criminal history check conducted:
        (1) in accordance with IC 31-9-2-22.5; and
        (2) not more than one (1) year before the date on which the licensed child placing agency or county office of family and children provides written approval for the placement.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.234-2005, SEC.93; P.L.145-2006, SEC.247.

IC 31-19-7-2
Consent of county office of family and children
    31-19-7-2 Sec. 2. Whenever the written approval for placement of a child in a proposed adoptive home is obtained from a licensed child placing agency, the consent of the county office of family and children is not required unless the child is a ward of the county office of family and children. As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11.

IC 31-19-7-3
Approval filed with adoption petition
    31-19-7-3 Sec. 3. Approval under this chapter for placement in a proposed adoptive home must be filed with the petition for adoption.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11.