2006 Code of Virginia § 63.2-1300 - Purpose and intent of adoption assistance

63.2-1300. Purpose and intent of adoption assistance.

The purpose of adoption assistance is to facilitate adoptive placements andensure permanency for children with special needs. Adoption assistanceincludes subsidy payments made pursuant to requirements set forth in thischapter. A child with special needs is any child (i) in the custody of alocal board that has the authority to place the child for adoption andconsent thereto in accordance with the provisions of 63.2-900, 63.2-903and 63.2-1105 or (ii) in the custody of a licensed child-placing agency, forwhom it has been determined that it is unlikely that the child will beadopted within a reasonable period of time due to one or more factorsincluding, but not limited to:

1. Physical, mental or emotional condition existing prior to adoption;

2. Hereditary tendency, congenital problem or birth injury leading tosubstantial risk of future disability; or

3. Individual circumstances of the child related to age, racial or ethnicbackground or close relationship with one or more siblings.

Child with special needs shall also include a child for whom the factors setout in subdivision 1 or 2 are present at the time of adoption but are notdiagnosed until after the final order of adoption is entered and no more thanone year has elapsed.

(1974, c. 507, 63.1-238.1; 1978, c. 536; 1981, c. 359; 1987, cc. 650, 681;2000, cc. 290, 830, 63.1-238.03; 2002, c. 747.)