2012 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code
Chapter 9 - ADOPTIONS
Section 63-9-1370 - Adoption services fees.

(A) The department shall establish fees for certain adoption and related services. The fees must be charged on a scale related to income as established by the state board, but the inability to pay a fee does not preclude the providing of any service.

(B) A fee may not be charged for the placement of a child with special needs, as defined in Section 63-9-30, into an adoptive home.

(C) Fees collected under this section must be forwarded to the State Treasurer who shall hold them in a separate account. These funds may be expended only as provided for by the General Assembly. Of the funds authorized to be expended, not less than seventy-five percent must be used for the sole purpose of paying for the medical and maternity home expenses incurred by clients:

(1) who are pregnant;

(2) who have requested the services of the Department of Social Services in planning for permanence for their child; and

(3) for whom other public or private funds are not available, and the remainder of the funds may be used to defray other operating expenses related to adoption service delivery.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.