(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Child" means, in connection with any adoption or placement for adoption of the child, an individual who has not attained age eighteen as of the date of the adoption or placement for adoption.

(2) "Health insurer" has the same meaning as in section 3924.41 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Placement for adoption" means the assumption and retention by a person of a legal obligation for total or partial support of a child in anticipation of the adoption of the child. The child's placement with a person terminates upon the termination of that legal obligation.

(B) If an individual or group health plan of a health insurer makes coverage available for dependent children of participants or beneficiaries, the plan shall provide benefits to dependent children placed with participants or beneficiaries for adoption under the same terms and conditions as apply to the natural, dependent children of the participants and beneficiaries, irrespective of whether the adoption has become final.

(C) A health plan described in division (B) of this section shall not restrict coverage under the plan of any dependent child adopted by a participant or beneficiary, or placed with a participant or beneficiary for adoption, solely on the basis of a pre-existing condition of the child at the time that the child would otherwise become eligible for coverage under the plan, if the adoption or placement for adoption occurs while the participant or beneficiary is eligible for coverage under the plan.

Effective Date: 06-30-1997 .