{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-283.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-283.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-283.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-283.1.html"}],"law_id":74001,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74001,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283.1","catch_line":"Authority to enter into voluntary post-adoption contact and communication agreement","history":"2009, cc. 98, 260; 2010, c. 331; 2019, cc. 65, 84; 2020, c. 98.","full_text":"A\n\nIn any case in which (i) a child has been placed in foster care as a result of (a) court commitment, (b) an entrustment agreement entered into by the parent or parents, or (c) other voluntary relinquishment by the parent or parents; (ii) the parent or parents have voluntarily consented to the adoption of the child; or (iii) the parental rights of the parent or parents have been involuntarily terminated, the child’s birth parent or parents may enter into a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement with the pre-adoptive parent or parents as provided in Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent or parents have been terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283, a local board of social services or child welfare agency required to file a petition for a permanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 may inform the birth parent or parents and shall inform the adoptive parent or parents that they may enter into such an agreement and shall inform the child if he is 14 years of age or older that he may consent to such an agreement.B\n\nThe court may consider the appropriateness of a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement entered into pursuant to subsection A and in accordance with Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2 at the permanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 and, if the court finds that all of the requirements of subsection A and Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2 have been met, shall incorporate the written post-adoption contact and communication agreement into an order entered at the conclusion of such hearing.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":266182,"text":"In any case in which (i) a child has been placed in foster care as a result of (a) court commitment, (b) an entrustment agreement entered into by the parent or parents, or (c) other voluntary relinquishment by the parent or parents; (ii) the parent or parents have voluntarily consented to the adoption of the child; or (iii) the parental rights of the parent or parents have been involuntarily terminated, the child’s birth parent or parents may enter into a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement with the pre-adoptive parent or parents as provided in Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent or parents have been terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283, a local board of social services or child welfare agency required to file a petition for a permanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 may inform the birth parent or parents and shall inform the adoptive parent or parents that they may enter into such an agreement and shall inform the child if he is 14 years of age or older that he may consent to such an agreement.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":266183,"text":"The court may consider the appropriateness of a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement entered into pursuant to subsection A and in accordance with Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2 at the permanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 and, if the court finds that all of the requirements of subsection A and Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2 have been met, shall incorporate the written post-adoption contact and communication agreement into an order entered at the conclusion of such hearing.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13006,"edition_id":1,"name":"Disposition","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","permalink":{"id":161781,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13006,"identifier":"9","token":"16.1\/11\/9","url":"\/16.1\/11\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61839,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278","catch_line":"Cooperation of certain agencies, officials, institutions and associations","url":"\/16.1-278\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278","metadata":false},{"id":71042,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/16.1-278.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.1","metadata":false},{"id":82666,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.10","catch_line":"Traffic infractions","url":"\/16.1-278.10\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.10","metadata":false},{"id":81073,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.11","catch_line":"Mental illness and intellectual disability","url":"\/16.1-278.11\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.11","metadata":false},{"id":63604,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.12","catch_line":"When judicial consent in lieu of parental consent authorized","url":"\/16.1-278.12\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.12","metadata":false},{"id":65268,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.13","catch_line":"Work permits; 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screening; assessment; drug tests; costs and fees; education or treatment programs","url":"\/16.1-278.8_01\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.8_01","metadata":false},{"id":74546,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.9","catch_line":"Delinquent children; loss of driving privileges for alcohol, firearm, and drug offenses; truancy","url":"\/16.1-278.9\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.9","metadata":false},{"id":72132,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-279","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-279\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-279","metadata":false},{"id":62456,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-279.1","catch_line":"Protective order in cases of family abuse","url":"\/16.1-279.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-279.1","metadata":false},{"id":76101,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-280","catch_line":"Commitment of juveniles with mental illness or intellectual disability","url":"\/16.1-280\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-280","metadata":false},{"id":58560,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-281","catch_line":"Foster care plan","url":"\/16.1-281\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-281","metadata":false},{"id":56077,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-282","catch_line":"Foster care review","url":"\/16.1-282\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-282","metadata":false},{"id":55053,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-282.1","catch_line":"Permanency planning hearing for children in foster care","url":"\/16.1-282.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-282.1","metadata":false},{"id":56299,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-282.2","catch_line":"Annual foster care review","url":"\/16.1-282.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-282.2","metadata":false},{"id":75076,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283","catch_line":"Termination of residual parental rights","url":"\/16.1-283\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283","metadata":false},{"id":74001,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283.1","catch_line":"Authority to enter into voluntary post-adoption contact and communication agreement","url":"\/16.1-283.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.1","metadata":false},{"id":85194,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283.2","catch_line":"Restoration of parental rights","url":"\/16.1-283.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.2","metadata":false},{"id":55428,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283.3","catch_line":"Review of voluntary continuing services and support agreements for former foster youth","url":"\/16.1-283.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.3","metadata":false},{"id":61757,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-284","catch_line":"When adult sentenced for juvenile offense","url":"\/16.1-284\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-284","metadata":false},{"id":54157,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-284.1","catch_line":"Placement in secure local facility","url":"\/16.1-284.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-284.1","metadata":false},{"id":59506,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-285","catch_line":"Duration of commitments","url":"\/16.1-285\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-285","metadata":false},{"id":75164,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-285.1","catch_line":"Commitment of serious offenders","url":"\/16.1-285.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-285.1","metadata":false},{"id":70403,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-285.2","catch_line":"Release and review hearing for serious offender","url":"\/16.1-285.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-285.2","metadata":false},{"id":84274,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-286","catch_line":"Cost of maintenance; 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This law was first created in 2009. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 98<\/a> and 260<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2010, chapter 331<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 65<\/a> and 84<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 98<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73490,"section_number":"16.1-277.01","catch_line":"Approval of entrustment agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-277.01\/"},{"id":73075,"section_number":"16.1-277.02","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Petition for relief of care and custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-277.02\/"},{"id":54079,"section_number":"16.1-278.3","catch_line":"Relief of care and custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.3\/"},{"id":80979,"section_number":"63.2-1220.3","catch_line":"Approval of post-adoption contact and communication agreements","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1220.3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55053,"section_number":"16.1-282.1","catch_line":"Permanency planning hearing for children in foster care","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-282.1\/"},{"id":75076,"section_number":"16.1-283","catch_line":"Termination of residual parental rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-283\/"},{"id":65888,"section_number":"63.2-1220.2","catch_line":"Authority to enter into post-adoption contact and communication agreements","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1220.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":161911,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74001,"identifier":"16.1-283.1","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.1","url":"\/16.1-283.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-283.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authority to enter into voluntary post-adoption contact and communication agreement","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-283.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In any case in which (i) a child has been placed in foster care as a result of (a) court<\/span> commitment, (b) an entrustment agreement entered into by the parent<\/span> or parents<\/span>, or (c) other voluntary relinquishment by the parent<\/span> or parents<\/span>; (ii) the parent<\/span> or parents<\/span> have voluntarily consented to the adoption of the child; or (iii) the parental rights of the parent<\/span> or parents<\/span> have been involuntarily terminated, the child’s birth parent<\/span> or parents<\/span> may enter into a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement with the pre-adoptive parent<\/span> or parents<\/span> as provided in Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent<\/span> or parents<\/span> have been terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283<\/a>, a local board of social services or child welfare agency<\/span> required to file a petition<\/span> for a permanency planning hearing<\/span> pursuant to § 16.1-282.1<\/a> may inform the birth parent<\/span> or parents<\/span> and shall inform the adoptive parent<\/span> or parents<\/span> that they may enter into such an agreement and shall inform the child if he is 14 years of age or older that he may consent to such an agreement. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The court<\/span> may consider the appropriateness of a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement entered into pursuant to subsection A and in accordance with Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2 at the permanency planning hearing<\/span> pursuant to § 16.1-282.1<\/a> and, if the court<\/span> finds that all of the requirements of subsection A and Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2 have been met, shall incorporate the written post-adoption contact and communication agreement into an order<\/span> entered at the conclusion of such hearing<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO VOLUNTARY POST-ADOPTION CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION\nAGREEMENT (\u00a7 16.1-283.1)\n\nA. In any case in which (i) a child has been placed in foster care as a result\nof (a) court commitment, (b) an entrustment agreement entered into by the parent\nor parents, or (c) other voluntary relinquishment by the parent or parents; (ii)\nthe parent or parents have voluntarily consented to the adoption of the child;\nor (iii) the parental rights of the parent or parents have been involuntarily\nterminated, the child’s birth parent or parents may enter into a written\npost-adoption contact and communication agreement with the pre-adoptive parent\nor parents as provided in Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12\nof Title 63.2. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent or parents have\nbeen terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283, a local board of\nsocial services or child welfare agency required to file a petition for a\npermanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 may inform the birth\nparent or parents and shall inform the adoptive parent or parents that they may\nenter into such an agreement and shall inform the child if he is 14 years of age\nor older that he may consent to such an agreement.\n\nB. The court may consider the appropriateness of a written post-adoption contact\nand communication agreement entered into pursuant to subsection A and in\naccordance with Article 1.1 (§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title\n63.2 at the permanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 and, if\nthe court finds that all of the requirements of subsection A and Article 1.1\n(§ 63.2-1220.2 et seq.) of Chapter 12 of Title 63.2 have been met, shall\nincorporate the written post-adoption contact and communication agreement into\nan order entered at the conclusion of such hearing.\n\nHISTORY: 2009, cc. 98, 260; 2010, c. 331; 2019, cc. 65, 84; 2020, c. 98.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}