2006 Code of Virginia § 63.2-1225 - Determination of appropriate home

63.2-1225. Determination of appropriate home.

A. In determining the appropriate home in which to place a child foradoption, a married couple or an unmarried individual shall be eligible toreceive placement of a child for purposes of adoption. When a licensedchild-placing agency or a local board accepts custody of the child for thepurpose of placing the child for adoption, the agency or local board shallconsider the recommendations of the birth parent(s), a physician or attorneylicensed in the Commonwealth, or a clergyman who is familiar with thesituation of the prospective adoptive parent(s) or the child. No birthparent, physician, attorney or clergyman shall advertise that he is availableto make recommendations, nor shall he charge any fee for such recommendationsto a board or agency, except that an attorney may charge for legal fees andservices rendered in connection with such placement.

B. The agency or local board may give consideration to placement of the childwith the recommended adoptive parent(s) if the agency or local board findsthat such placement is in the best interest of the child. When the birthparent(s) has recommended such placement, the agency or local board shallprovide the birth parent(s) the opportunity to be represented by independentlegal counsel as well as the opportunity for counseling with a social worker.The agency or board also shall advise the prospective adoptive parent(s) ofthe right to be represented by independent legal counsel. The parties may,but are not required to, exchange identifying information as provided for insubdivision A 3 of 63.2-1232.

(1989, c. 647, 63.1-220.2; 1990, c. 202; 1991, c. 364; 1995, cc. 772, 826;1999, c. 1028; 2000, c. 830, 63.1-219.32; 2002, c. 747; 2003, c. 779; 2006,cc. 654, 825.)