(1) (a) "Adoption assistance" means direct financial subsidies and support to adoptive parents of a child with special needs or whose need or condition has created a barrier that would prevent a successful adoption. (b) "Adoption assistance" may include state medical assistance, reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses, or monthly subsidies.

(a) "Adoption assistance" means direct financial subsidies and support to adoptive parents of a child with special needs or whose need or condition has created a barrier that would prevent a successful adoption.

(b) "Adoption assistance" may include state medical assistance, reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses, or monthly subsidies.

(2) "Child who has a special need" means a child who cannot or should not be returned to the home of his biological parents and who meets at least one of the following conditions: (a) the child is five years of age or older; (b) the child is under the age of 18 with a physical, emotional, or mental disability; or (c) the child is a member of a sibling group placed together for adoption.

(a) the child is five years of age or older;

(b) the child is under the age of 18 with a physical, emotional, or mental disability; or

(c) the child is a member of a sibling group placed together for adoption.

(3) "Monthly subsidy" means financial support to assist with the costs of adopting and caring for a child who has a special need.

(4) "Nonrecurring adoption expenses" means reasonably necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney's fees, and other expenses which are directly related to the legal adoption of a child who has a special need.

(5) "State medical assistance" means the Medicaid program and medical assistance as those terms are defined in Section 26-18-2.

(6) "Supplemental adoption assistance" means financial support for extraordinary, infrequent, or uncommon documented needs not otherwise covered by a monthly subsidy, state medical assistance, or other public benefits for which a child who has a special need is eligible.