2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 67 - PUBLIC WELFARE
Chapter 21 - Adoption Opportunities
Section 2102 - Definitions
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Adoption opportunity." A subsidy which may include:
(1) maintenance costs;
(2) medical, surgical and psychological expenses; and
(3) other costs incident to the adoption.
"Child." An individual who:
(1) is under the age of 18 years; or
(2) is under the age of 21 years and attained 13 years of age before the adoption assistance agreement became effective and is:
(i) completing secondary education or an equivalent credential;
(ii) enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education;
(iii) participating in a program actively designed to promote or remove barriers to employment;
(iv) employed for at least 80 hours per month; or
(v) incapable of doing any of the activities described in subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) due to a medical or behavioral health condition that is supported by regularly updated information in the permanency plan of the child.
"County agency." The county children and youth social service agency exercising the power and duties provided for in section 405 of the act of June 24, 1937 (P.L.2017, No.396), known as the County Institution District Law, or its successor, and supervised by the department under Article IX of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code.
"Eligible child." A child in the legal custody of the county agency where parental rights have been terminated pursuant to the procedure set forth in 23 Pa.C.S. Pt. III (relating to adoption) and who has been in foster placement for a period of not less than six months and shown to be difficult to adopt because of a disability or by virtue of age, sibling relationship or ethnicity. A child in the legal custody of an agency approved by the department shall be an eligible child if the child is certified as eligible by the county agency.
