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Counseling - 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2505

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     § 2505.  Counseling.
        (a)  List of counselors.--Any hospital or other facility
     providing maternity care shall provide a list of available
     counselors and counseling services compiled pursuant to
     subsection (b) to its maternity patients who are known to be
     considering relinquishment or termination of parental rights
     pursuant to this part. The patient shall sign an acknowledgment
     of receipt of such list prior to discharge, a copy of which
     receipt shall be provided to the patient.
        (b)  Compilation of list.--The court shall compile a list of
     qualified counselors and counseling services (including all
     adoption agencies) which are available to counsel natural
     parents within the county who are contemplating relinquishment
     or termination of parental rights pursuant to this part. Such
     list shall be distributed to every agency, hospital or other
     facility providing maternity care within the county and shall be
     made available upon request to any intermediary or licensed
     health care professional.
        (c)  Court referral.--Prior to entering a decree of
     termination of parental rights pursuant to section 2503
     (relating to hearing) or 2504 (relating to alternative procedure
     for relinquishment), if the parent whose rights are to be
     terminated is present in court, the court shall inquire whether
     he or she has received counseling concerning the termination and
     the alternatives thereto from an agency or from a qualified
     counselor listed by a court pursuant to subsection (b). If the
     parent has not received such counseling, the court may, with the
     parent's consent, refer the parent to an agency or qualified
     counselor listed by a court pursuant to subsection (b) for the
     purpose of receiving such counseling. In no event shall the
     court delay the completion of any hearing pursuant to section
     2503 or 2504 for more than 15 days in order to provide for such
     counseling.
        (d)  Application for counseling.--Any parent who has filed a
     petition to relinquish his or her parental rights, or has
     executed a consent to adoption, and is in need of counseling
     concerning the relinquishment or consent, and the alternatives
     thereto, may apply to the court for referral to an agency or
     qualified counselor listed by a court pursuant to subsection (b)
     for the purpose of receiving such counseling. The court, in its
     discretion, may make such a referral where it is satisfied that
     this counseling would be of benefit to the parent.
        (e)  Counseling fund.--Except as hereinafter provided, each
     report of intention to adopt filed pursuant to section 2531
     (relating to report of intention to adopt) shall be accompanied
     by a filing fee in the amount of $75 which shall be paid into a
     segregated fund established by the county. The county may also
     make supplemental appropriations to the fund. All costs of
     counseling provided pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) to
     individuals who are unable to pay for such counseling shall be
     paid from the fund. No filing fee may be exacted under this
     subsection with respect to the adoption of a special needs child
     who would be eligible for adoption assistance pursuant to
     regulations promulgated by the Department of Public Welfare. In
     addition, the court may reduce or waive the fee in cases of
     demonstrated financial hardship.
     (June 23, 1982, P.L.617, No.174, eff. 60 days; May 21, 1992,
     P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days)

Last modified: November 27, 2007