Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of sections 260C.601 to 260C.635, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2. Adopting parent. "Adopting parent" means an adult who has signed an adoption placement agreement regarding the child and has the same meaning as preadoptive parent under section 259A.01, subdivision 23.

Subd. 3. Adoption placement agreement. "Adoption placement agreement" means the written agreement between the responsible social services agency, the commissioner, and the adopting parent which reflects the intent of all the signatories to the agreement that the adopting parent establish a parent and child relationship by adoption with the child who is under the guardianship of the commissioner. The adoptive placement agreement must be in the commissioner's designated format.

Subd. 4. Adoptive parent. "Adoptive parent" has the meaning given in section 259A.01, subdivision 3.

Subd. 5. Adoptive placement. "Adoptive placement" means a placement made by the responsible social services agency upon a fully executed adoption placement agreement including the signatures of the adopting parent, the responsible social services agency, and the commissioner of human services according to section 260C.613, subdivision 1.

Subd. 6. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services or any employee of the Department of Human Services to whom the commissioner has delegated authority regarding children under the commissioner's guardianship.

Subd. 7. Guardianship. "Guardianship" has the meaning given in section 259A.01, subdivision 17; 260C.325; or 260C.515, subdivision 3.

Subd. 8. Prospective adoptive parent. "Prospective adoptive parent" means an individual who may become an adopting parent regardless of whether the individual has an adoption study approving the individual for adoption, but who has not signed an adoption placement agreement.

History: 2012 c 216 art 1 s 27