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Home study and preplacement report - 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2530

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                               SUBCHAPTER D
                        REPORTS AND INVESTIGATION

     Sec.
     2530.  Home study and preplacement report.
     2531.  Report of intention to adopt.
     2532.  Filing of report.
     2533.  Report of intermediary.
     2534.  Exhibits.
     2535.  Investigation.
     § 2530.  Home study and preplacement report.
        (a)  General rule.--No intermediary shall place a child in
     the physical care or custody of a prospective adoptive parent or
     parents unless a home study containing a favorable
     recommendation for placement of a child with the prospective
     parent or parents has been completed within three years prior
     thereto and which has been supplemented within one year prior
     thereto. The home study shall be conducted by a local public
     child-care agency, an adoption agency or a licensed social
     worker designated by the court to perform such study.
        (b)  Preplacement report.--A preplacement report shall be
     prepared by the agency or person conducting the home study.
            (1)  The preplacement report shall set forth all
        pertinent information relating to the fitness of the adopting
        parents as parents.
            (2)  The preplacement report shall be based upon a study
        which shall include an investigation of the home environment,
        family life, parenting skills, age, physical and mental
        health, social, cultural and religious background, facilities
        and resources of the adoptive parents and their ability to
        manage their resources. The preplacement report shall also
        include the information required by section 6344(b) (relating
        to information relating to prospective child-care personnel).
            (3)  The preplacement report shall include a
        determination regarding the fitness of the adopting parents
        as parents.
            (4)  The preplacement report shall be dated and verified.
        (c)  Interim placement.--Where a home study required under
     this section is in process, but not yet completed, an
     intermediary may place a child in the physical care or custody
     of a prospective adoptive parent or parents if all of the
     following conditions are met:
            (1)  The intermediary has no reason to believe that the
        prospective adoptive parent or parents would not receive a
        favorable recommendation for placement as a result of the
        home study.
            (2)  The individual or agency conducting the home study
        assents to the interim placement.
            (3)  The intermediary immediately notifies the court of
        the interim placement and the identity of the individual or
        agency conducting the home study. If at any time prior to the
        completion of the home study the court is notified by the
        individual or agency conducting the home study that it
        withdraws its assent to the interim placement, the court may
        order the placement of the child in temporary foster care
        with an agency until a favorable recommendation for placement
        is received.
     (May 21, 1992, P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days)

        1992 Amendment.  Act 34 added section 2530.
        Cross References.  Section 2530 is referred to in sections
     2531, 2701, 2905 of this title.

Last modified: November 27, 2007