§ 2-203. Timing and content of preplacement evaluation

(a) A person requesting a preplacement evaluation need not have located a prospective minor adoptee when the request is made, and the person may request more than one evaluation.

(b) A preplacement evaluation shall be completed within 90 days after it is requested unless extended by the court. An evaluator shall give priority to a request from a person who has located a prospective adoptee.

(c) A preplacement evaluation shall be based upon a personal interview and visit at the residence of the person being evaluated, personal interviews or correspondence with others who know the person and may have information relevant to the evaluation, and the information required by subsection (d) of this section.

(d) A preplacement evaluation shall contain the following information about the person being evaluated:

(1) age and date of birth, nationality, racial or ethnic background, and any religious affiliation;

(2) marital status and family history, including the age and location of any child of the person and the identity of and relationship to anyone else living in the person's household;

(3) parenting experience;

(4) physical and mental health, and any history of abuse of alcohol or drugs;

(5) educational and employment history and any special skills;

(6) property and income, including outstanding financial obligations as indicated in a current credit report or financial statement furnished by the person;

(7) any previous request for an evaluation or involvement in an adoptive placement and the outcome of the evaluation or placement as confirmed by the Department;

(8) whether the person has been subject to an abuse prevention order issued under 15 V.S.A. § 1103 or 1104; charged with or convicted of domestic assault in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 1042 (domestic assault), 1043 (first-degree aggravated domestic assault), or 1044 (second-degree aggravated domestic assault); or the subject of a substantiated complaint filed with the Department; or subject to a court order restricting the person's right to parental rights and responsibilities or parent-child contact with a child;

(9) whether the person has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation;

(10) whether the person has located a parent interested in placing a minor with the person for adoption and, if so, a brief description of the parent and the minor;

(11) reason for and attitude about adoption;

(12) whether the person is in noncompliance with a child support order; and

(13) any other fact or circumstance that may be relevant in determining whether the person is suited to be an adoptive parent, including the quality of the environment in the home and the functioning of other children in the person's household.

(e) A person being evaluated shall submit to fingerprinting and sign a release permitting the evaluator to obtain from an appropriate law enforcement agency any record indicating that the person has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation.

(f) A person being evaluated shall, at the request of the evaluator, sign any release necessary for the evaluator to obtain information required by subsection (d) of this section. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 53, § 2, eff. June 26, 1997.)