{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-900.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-900.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-900.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-900.html"}],"law_id":87280,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87280,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 63-73; 1952, c. 409; 1960, c. 331; 1968, cc. 466, 578, \u00a7 63.1-56; 1975, cc. 248, 406; 1977, cc. 559, 562, 634, 645; 1978, c. 734; 1984, c. 734; 1986, c. 281; 1991, c. 34; 1994, c. 865; 1999, c. 889; 2002, c. 747; 2004, c. 70; 2005, cc. 343, 653; 2006, c. 360; 2008, cc. 241, 308; 2010, c. 551; 2011, cc. 9, 170; 2015, c. 531; 2017, cc. 193, 200; 2018, c. 694; 2019, c. 446; 2022, Sp. Sess. I, c. 10; 2023, c. 340.","full_text":"A\n\nPursuant to § 63.2-319, a local board shall have the right to accept for placement in suitable family homes, children’s residential facilities or independent living arrangements, subject to the supervision of the Commissioner and in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, such persons under 18 years of age as may be entrusted to it by the parent, parents or guardian, committed by any court of competent jurisdiction, or placed through an agreement between it and the parent, parents or guardians where legal custody remains with the parent, parents, or guardians.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall adopt regulations for the provision of foster care services by local boards, which shall be directed toward the prevention of unnecessary foster care placements and towards the immediate care of and permanent planning for children in the custody of or placed by local boards and that shall achieve, as quickly as practicable, permanent placements for such children. The local board shall first seek out kinship care options to keep children out of foster care and as a placement option for those children in foster care, if it is in the child’s best interests, pursuant to § 63.2-900.1. In cases in which a child cannot be returned to his prior family or placed for adoption and kinship care is not currently in the best interests of the child, the local board shall consider the placement and services that afford the best alternative for protecting the child’s welfare. Placements may include but are not limited to family foster care, treatment foster care, and residential care; however, the local board shall seek to place the child with a foster family within the locality of the local board or a nearby locality through the collaborative local board placement program set forth in subsection F, provided that such placement is in the best interests of the child. Services may include but are not limited to assessment and stabilization, diligent family search, intensive in-home, intensive wraparound, respite, mentoring, family mentoring, adoption support, supported adoption, crisis stabilization or other community-based services. The Board shall also approve in foster care policy the language of the agreement required in § 63.2-902. The agreement shall include at a minimum a Code of Ethics and mutual responsibilities for all parties to the agreement.\n\t\t\tWithin 30 days of accepting for foster care placement a person under 18 years of age whose father is unknown, the local board shall request a search of the Virginia Birth Father Registry established pursuant to Article 7 (§ 63.2-1249 et seq.) of Chapter 12 to determine whether any man has registered as the putative father of the child. If the search results indicate that a man has registered as the putative father of the child, the local board shall contact the man to begin the process to determine paternity.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall, in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Board and in accordance with the entrustment agreement or other order by which such person is entrusted or committed to its care, have custody and control of the person so entrusted or committed to it until he is lawfully discharged, has been adopted or has attained his majority.\n\t\t\tWhenever a local board places a child where legal custody remains with the parent, parents or guardians, the board shall enter into an agreement with the parent, parents or guardians. The agreement shall specify the responsibilities of each for the care and control of the child.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall have authority to place for adoption, and to consent to the adoption of, any child properly committed or entrusted to its care when the order of commitment or entrustment agreement between the parent or parents and the agency provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child for the purpose of placing and consenting to the adoption of the child.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall also have the right to accept temporary custody of any person under 18 years of age taken into custody pursuant to subdivision B of § 16.1-246 or § 63.2-1517. The placement of a child in a foster home, whether within or without the Commonwealth, shall not be for the purpose of adoption unless the placement agreement between the foster parents and the local board specifically so stipulates.B\n\nPrior to the approval of any family for placement of a child, a home study shall be completed and the prospective foster or adoptive parents shall be informed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and resources for help and support for caretakers is available on a website maintained by the Department as prescribed in regulations adopted by the Board. Home studies by local boards and licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster parent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or regulation.C\n\nPrior to placing any such child in any foster home or children’s residential facility, the local board shall enter into a written agreement with the foster parents, pursuant to § 63.2-902, or other appropriate custodian setting forth therein the conditions under which the child is so placed pursuant to § 63.2-902. However, if a child is placed in a children’s residential facility licensed as a temporary emergency shelter, and a verbal agreement for placement is secured within eight hours of the child’s arrival at the facility, the written agreement does not need to be entered into prior to placement, but shall be completed and signed by the local board and the facility representative within 24 hours of the child’s arrival or by the end of the next business day after the child’s arrival.\n\t\t\tAgreements entered into pursuant to this subsection shall include a statement by the local board that all reasonably ascertainable background, medical, and psychological records of the child, including whether the child has been the subject of an investigation as the perpetrator of sexual abuse, have been provided to the foster home or children’s residential facility.D\n\nWithin 72 hours of placing a child of school age in a foster care placement, as defined in § 63.2-100, the local social services agency making such placement shall, in writing, (i) notify the principal of the school in which the student is to be enrolled and the superintendent of the relevant school division or his designee of such placement, and (ii) inform the principal of the status of the parental rights.\n\t\t\tIf the documents required for enrollment of the foster child pursuant to § 22.1-3.1, 22.1-270 or 22.1-271.2, are not immediately available upon taking the child into custody, the placing social services agency shall obtain and produce or otherwise ensure compliance with such requirements for the foster child within 30 days after the child’s enrollment.E\n\nEvery local board shall submit to the Department through its statewide automated system the names of all foster parents licensed to provide foster care services in the locality served by the local board and update such list quarterly.F\n\nThe Department shall establish and implement a collaborative local board placement program to increase kinship placements and the number of locally approved foster homes. Such program shall require local boards within each Department of Social Services region to work collaboratively to (i) facilitate approval of kinship foster parents through engagement, assessment, and training and (ii) expand the pool of available foster homes within and across the localities of such local boards.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":312558,"text":"Pursuant to § 63.2-319, a local board shall have the right to accept for placement in suitable family homes, children’s residential facilities or independent living arrangements, subject to the supervision of the Commissioner and in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, such persons under 18 years of age as may be entrusted to it by the parent, parents or guardian, committed by any court of competent jurisdiction, or placed through an agreement between it and the parent, parents or guardians where legal custody remains with the parent, parents, or guardians.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall adopt regulations for the provision of foster care services by local boards, which shall be directed toward the prevention of unnecessary foster care placements and towards the immediate care of and permanent planning for children in the custody of or placed by local boards and that shall achieve, as quickly as practicable, permanent placements for such children. The local board shall first seek out kinship care options to keep children out of foster care and as a placement option for those children in foster care, if it is in the child’s best interests, pursuant to § 63.2-900.1. In cases in which a child cannot be returned to his prior family or placed for adoption and kinship care is not currently in the best interests of the child, the local board shall consider the placement and services that afford the best alternative for protecting the child’s welfare. Placements may include but are not limited to family foster care, treatment foster care, and residential care; however, the local board shall seek to place the child with a foster family within the locality of the local board or a nearby locality through the collaborative local board placement program set forth in subsection F, provided that such placement is in the best interests of the child. Services may include but are not limited to assessment and stabilization, diligent family search, intensive in-home, intensive wraparound, respite, mentoring, family mentoring, adoption support, supported adoption, crisis stabilization or other community-based services. The Board shall also approve in foster care policy the language of the agreement required in § 63.2-902. The agreement shall include at a minimum a Code of Ethics and mutual responsibilities for all parties to the agreement.\n\t\t\tWithin 30 days of accepting for foster care placement a person under 18 years of age whose father is unknown, the local board shall request a search of the Virginia Birth Father Registry established pursuant to Article 7 (§ 63.2-1249 et seq.) of Chapter 12 to determine whether any man has registered as the putative father of the child. If the search results indicate that a man has registered as the putative father of the child, the local board shall contact the man to begin the process to determine paternity.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall, in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Board and in accordance with the entrustment agreement or other order by which such person is entrusted or committed to its care, have custody and control of the person so entrusted or committed to it until he is lawfully discharged, has been adopted or has attained his majority.\n\t\t\tWhenever a local board places a child where legal custody remains with the parent, parents or guardians, the board shall enter into an agreement with the parent, parents or guardians. The agreement shall specify the responsibilities of each for the care and control of the child.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall have authority to place for adoption, and to consent to the adoption of, any child properly committed or entrusted to its care when the order of commitment or entrustment agreement between the parent or parents and the agency provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child for the purpose of placing and consenting to the adoption of the child.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall also have the right to accept temporary custody of any person under 18 years of age taken into custody pursuant to subdivision B of § 16.1-246 or § 63.2-1517. The placement of a child in a foster home, whether within or without the Commonwealth, shall not be for the purpose of adoption unless the placement agreement between the foster parents and the local board specifically so stipulates.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":312559,"text":"Prior to the approval of any family for placement of a child, a home study shall be completed and the prospective foster or adoptive parents shall be informed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and resources for help and support for caretakers is available on a website maintained by the Department as prescribed in regulations adopted by the Board. Home studies by local boards and licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster parent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or regulation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":312560,"text":"Prior to placing any such child in any foster home or children’s residential facility, the local board shall enter into a written agreement with the foster parents, pursuant to § 63.2-902, or other appropriate custodian setting forth therein the conditions under which the child is so placed pursuant to § 63.2-902. However, if a child is placed in a children’s residential facility licensed as a temporary emergency shelter, and a verbal agreement for placement is secured within eight hours of the child’s arrival at the facility, the written agreement does not need to be entered into prior to placement, but shall be completed and signed by the local board and the facility representative within 24 hours of the child’s arrival or by the end of the next business day after the child’s arrival.\n\t\t\tAgreements entered into pursuant to this subsection shall include a statement by the local board that all reasonably ascertainable background, medical, and psychological records of the child, including whether the child has been the subject of an investigation as the perpetrator of sexual abuse, have been provided to the foster home or children’s residential facility.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":312561,"text":"Within 72 hours of placing a child of school age in a foster care placement, as defined in § 63.2-100, the local social services agency making such placement shall, in writing, (i) notify the principal of the school in which the student is to be enrolled and the superintendent of the relevant school division or his designee of such placement, and (ii) inform the principal of the status of the parental rights.\n\t\t\tIf the documents required for enrollment of the foster child pursuant to § 22.1-3.1, 22.1-270 or 22.1-271.2, are not immediately available upon taking the child into custody, the placing social services agency shall obtain and produce or otherwise ensure compliance with such requirements for the foster child within 30 days after the child’s enrollment.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":312562,"text":"Every local board shall submit to the Department through its statewide automated system the names of all foster parents licensed to provide foster care services in the locality served by the local board and update such list quarterly.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":312563,"text":"The Department shall establish and implement a collaborative local board placement program to increase kinship placements and the number of locally approved foster homes. Such program shall require local boards within each Department of Social Services region to work collaboratively to (i) facilitate approval of kinship foster parents through engagement, assessment, and training and (ii) expand the pool of available foster homes within and across the localities of such local boards.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14390,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14389,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271971,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14390,"identifier":"1","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14389,"edition_id":1,"name":"Foster Care","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271969,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14389,"identifier":"9","token":"63.2\/III\/9","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Social Services Programs","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","permalink":{"id":271331,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13897,"identifier":"III","token":"63.2\/III","url":"\/63.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87280,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","url":"\/63.2-900\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900","metadata":false},{"id":64851,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.1","catch_line":"Kinship foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.1","metadata":false},{"id":70505,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.2","catch_line":"Placement of sibling groups; visitation","url":"\/63.2-900.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.2","metadata":false},{"id":76064,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.3","catch_line":"School placement of children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.3","metadata":false},{"id":72206,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-901","catch_line":"Supervision of placement of children in homes","url":"\/63.2-901\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-901","metadata":false},{"id":81648,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-901.1","catch_line":"Criminal history and central registry check for placements of children","url":"\/63.2-901.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-901.1","metadata":false},{"id":70305,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-902","catch_line":"Agreements with persons taking children; dispute resolution; appeals","url":"\/63.2-902\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-902","metadata":false},{"id":83322,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","url":"\/63.2-903\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-903","metadata":false},{"id":76669,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904","catch_line":"Investigation, visitation, and supervision of foster homes or independent living arrangement; removal of child","url":"\/63.2-904\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904","metadata":false},{"id":55728,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904.1","catch_line":"Intervention by Commissioner; corrective action plans; assumption of temporary control","url":"\/63.2-904.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904.1","metadata":false},{"id":63460,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904.2","catch_line":"Complaint system","url":"\/63.2-904.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904.2","metadata":false},{"id":72819,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905","catch_line":"Foster care services","url":"\/63.2-905\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905","metadata":false},{"id":63664,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.1","catch_line":"Independent living services","url":"\/63.2-905.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.1","metadata":false},{"id":76451,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.1:1","catch_line":" Housing services","url":"\/63.2-905.1_1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":59769,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.2","catch_line":"Security freezes and annual credit checks for children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-905.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.2","metadata":false},{"id":58742,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.3","catch_line":"Documents provided to foster care youth","url":"\/63.2-905.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.3","metadata":false},{"id":76193,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.4","catch_line":"Individuals in foster care on eighteenth birthday; enrollment in Commonwealth's program of medical assistance","url":"\/63.2-905.4\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.4","metadata":false},{"id":56947,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.5","catch_line":"Survey of children aging out of foster care","url":"\/63.2-905.5\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.5","metadata":false},{"id":73230,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.6","catch_line":"Notice of eligibility for certain federal benefits","url":"\/63.2-905.6\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.6","metadata":false},{"id":80427,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906","catch_line":"Foster care plans; permissible plan goals; court review of foster children","url":"\/63.2-906\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906","metadata":false},{"id":86904,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906.1","catch_line":"Qualified residential treatment programs","url":"\/63.2-906.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906.1","metadata":false},{"id":81818,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-907","catch_line":"Administrative review of children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-907\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-907","metadata":false},{"id":83951,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-908","catch_line":"Permanent foster care placement","url":"\/63.2-908\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-908","metadata":false},{"id":59063,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-909","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care by court","url":"\/63.2-909\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-909","metadata":false},{"id":63433,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care where legal custody remains with parent or guardian","url":"\/63.2-910\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910","metadata":false},{"id":60943,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.1","catch_line":"Acceptance of children by local departments of social services","url":"\/63.2-910.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.1","metadata":false},{"id":56471,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.2","catch_line":"Petition to terminate parental rights","url":"\/63.2-910.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.2","metadata":false},{"id":68598,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-911","catch_line":"Liability insurance for foster parents","url":"\/63.2-911\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-911","metadata":false},{"id":82345,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912","catch_line":"Visitation of child placed in foster care","url":"\/63.2-912\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912","metadata":false},{"id":75827,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912.1","catch_line":"Notification of certain rights of foster parents of public school students","url":"\/63.2-912.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912.1","metadata":false},{"id":65725,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913","catch_line":"Establishment of minimum training requirements","url":"\/63.2-913\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913","metadata":false},{"id":57259,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913.1","catch_line":"Caseload standard","url":"\/63.2-913.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913.1","metadata":false},{"id":80392,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-914","catch_line":"Not in effect","url":"\/63.2-914\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-914","metadata":false},{"id":61194,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-915","catch_line":"Appeals to Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-915\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-915","metadata":false},{"id":57653,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-916","catch_line":"Notice of developmental disabilities","url":"\/63.2-916\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-916","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":64851,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.1","catch_line":"Kinship foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-900\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 23 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 1952, chapter 409; in 1960, chapter 331; in 1968, chapters 466 and 578; in 1975, chapters 248 and 406; in 1977, chapters 559, 562, 634, and 645; in 1978, chapter 734; in 1984, chapter 734; in 1986, chapter 281; in 1991, chapter 34; in 1994, chapter 865<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 889<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 70<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 343<\/a> and 653<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 360<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 241<\/a> and 308<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 551<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 9<\/a> and 170<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 531<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 193<\/a> and 200<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 694<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 446<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 340<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":63788,"section_number":"16.1-228","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-228\/"},{"id":82383,"section_number":"2.2-438","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-438\/"},{"id":56385,"section_number":"24.2-418","catch_line":"Application for registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-418\/"},{"id":72379,"section_number":"63.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-100\/"},{"id":57240,"section_number":"63.2-1202","catch_line":"Parental, or agency, consent required; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1202\/"},{"id":87110,"section_number":"63.2-1221","catch_line":"Placement of children for adoption by agency or local board","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1221\/"},{"id":56081,"section_number":"63.2-1250","catch_line":"Registration; notice; form","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1250\/"},{"id":59613,"section_number":"63.2-320","catch_line":"Accepting and expending certain funds on behalf of children placed by or entrusted to local board when no guardian appointed; disposition of funds when children discharged","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-320\/"},{"id":67545,"section_number":"63.2-401","catch_line":"Reimbursement of localities by the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-401\/"},{"id":72206,"section_number":"63.2-901","catch_line":"Supervision of placement of children in homes","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-901\/"},{"id":81648,"section_number":"63.2-901.1","catch_line":"Criminal history and central registry check for placements of children","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-901.1\/"},{"id":83322,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-903\/"},{"id":80427,"section_number":"63.2-906","catch_line":"Foster care plans; permissible plan goals; court review of foster children","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-906\/"},{"id":83951,"section_number":"63.2-908","catch_line":"Permanent foster care placement","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-908\/"},{"id":63433,"section_number":"63.2-910","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care where legal custody remains with parent or guardian","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-910\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56400,"section_number":"16.1-246","catch_line":"When and how child may be taken into immediate custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-246\/"},{"id":83399,"section_number":"22.1-270","catch_line":"Preschool physical examinations","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-270\/"},{"id":68882,"section_number":"22.1-271.2","catch_line":"Immunization requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-271.2\/"},{"id":86526,"section_number":"22.1-3.1","catch_line":"Birth certificates required upon admission; required notice to the local law-enforcement agency","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-3.1\/"},{"id":72379,"section_number":"63.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-100\/"},{"id":72171,"section_number":"63.2-1249","catch_line":"Establishment of Registry","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1249\/"},{"id":61486,"section_number":"63.2-1517","catch_line":"Authority to take child into custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1517\/"},{"id":86602,"section_number":"63.2-319","catch_line":"Child welfare and other services","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-319\/"},{"id":64851,"section_number":"63.2-900.1","catch_line":"Kinship foster care","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-900.1\/"},{"id":70305,"section_number":"63.2-902","catch_line":"Agreements with persons taking children; dispute resolution; appeals","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-902\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271973,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87280,"identifier":"63.2-900","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900","url":"\/63.2-900\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-900\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900","dublin_core":{"Title":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-900","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Pursuant to § 63.2-319<\/a>, a local board<\/span> shall have the right to accept for placement in suitable family homes, children’s residential facilities or independent living arrangements<\/span>, subject to the supervision of the Commissioner<\/span> and in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, such persons under 18 years of age as may be entrusted to it by the parent, parents or guardian, committed by any court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span>, or placed through an agreement between it and the parent, parents or guardians where legal custody<\/span> remains with the parent, parents, or guardians.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall adopt regulations for the provision of foster care services by local boards<\/span>, which shall be directed toward the prevention of unnecessary foster care placements<\/span> and towards the immediate care of and permanent planning for children in the custody<\/span> of or placed by local boards<\/span> and that shall achieve, as quickly as practicable, permanent placements for such children. The local board<\/span> shall first seek out kinship care<\/span> options to keep children out of foster care and as a placement option for those children in foster care, if it is in the child<\/span>’s best interests, pursuant to § 63.2-900.1<\/a>. In cases in which a child<\/span> cannot be returned to his prior family or placed for adoption and kinship care<\/span> is not currently in the best interests of the child<\/span>, the local board<\/span> shall consider the placement and services that afford the best alternative for protecting the child<\/span>’s welfare. Placements may include but are not limited to family foster care, treatment foster care, and residential care; however, the local board<\/span> shall seek to place the child<\/span> with a foster family within the locality of the local board<\/span> or a nearby locality through the collaborative local board<\/span> placement program set forth in subsection F, provided that such placement is in the best interests of the child<\/span>. Services may include but are not limited to assessment and stabilization, diligent family search, intensive in-home, intensive wraparound, respite, mentoring, family mentoring, adoption support, supported adoption, crisis stabilization or other community-based services. The Board shall also approve in foster care policy the language of the agreement required in § 63.2-902<\/a>. The agreement shall include at a minimum a Code of Ethics and mutual responsibilities for all parties to the agreement.\n\t\t\tWithin 30 days of accepting for foster care placement<\/span> a person under 18 years of age whose father is unknown, the local board<\/span> shall request a search of the Virginia Birth Father Registry established pursuant to Article 7 (§ 63.2-1249<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 12 to determine whether any man has registered as the putative father of the child<\/span>. If the search results indicate that a man has registered as the putative father of the child<\/span>, the local board<\/span> shall contact the man to begin the process to determine paternity.\n\t\t\tThe local board<\/span> shall, in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Board and in accordance with the entrustment agreement or other order<\/span> by which such person is entrusted or committed to its care, have custody<\/span> and control of the person so entrusted or committed to it until he is lawfully discharged, has been adopted or has attained his majority.\n\t\t\tWhenever a local board<\/span> places a child<\/span> where legal custody<\/span> remains with the parent, parents or guardians, the board shall enter into an agreement with the parent, parents or guardians. The agreement shall specify the responsibilities of each for the care and control of the child<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe local board<\/span> shall have authority to place for adoption, and to consent to the adoption of, any child<\/span> properly committed or entrusted to its care when the order<\/span> of commitment or entrustment agreement between the parent or parents and the agency provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child<\/span> for the purpose of placing and consenting to the adoption of the child<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe local board<\/span> shall also have the right to accept temporary custody<\/span> of any person under 18 years of age taken into custody<\/span> pursuant to subdivision B of § 16.1-246<\/a> or § 63.2-1517<\/a>. The placement of a child<\/span> in a foster home<\/span>, whether within or without the Commonwealth, shall not be for the purpose of adoption unless the placement agreement between the foster parents and the local board<\/span> specifically so stipulates. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Prior to the approval of any family for placement of a child<\/span>, a home study shall be completed and the prospective foster or adoptive parents shall be informed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and resources for help and support for caretakers is available on a website maintained by the Department<\/span> as prescribed in regulations adopted by the Board. Home studies by local boards<\/span> and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department<\/span>. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board<\/span> or a licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span>, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards<\/span>, and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster parent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law<\/span> or regulation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Prior to placing any such child<\/span> in any foster home<\/span> or children’s residential facility, the local board<\/span> shall enter into a written agreement with the foster parents, pursuant to § 63.2-902<\/a>, or other appropriate custodian setting forth therein the conditions under which the child<\/span> is so placed pursuant to § 63.2-902<\/a>. However, if a child<\/span> is placed in a children’s residential facility licensed as a temporary emergency shelter, and a verbal agreement for placement is secured within eight hours of the child<\/span>’s arrival at the facility, the written agreement does not need to be entered into prior to placement, but shall be completed and signed by the local board<\/span> and the facility representative within 24 hours of the child<\/span>’s arrival or by the end of the next business day after the child<\/span>’s arrival.\n\t\t\tAgreements entered into pursuant to this subsection shall include a statement by the local board<\/span> that all reasonably ascertainable background, medical, and psychological records of the child<\/span>, including whether the child<\/span> has been the subject of an investigation as the perpetrator of sexual abuse, have been provided to the foster home<\/span> or children’s residential facility. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Within 72 hours of placing a child<\/span> of school age in a foster care placement<\/span>, as defined in § 63.2-100<\/a>, the local social services<\/span> agency making such placement shall, in writing, (i) notify the principal of the school in which the student is to be enrolled and the superintendent of the relevant school division or his designee of such placement, and (ii) inform the principal of the status of the parental rights.\n\t\t\tIf the documents required for enrollment of the foster child<\/span> pursuant to § 22.1-3.1<\/a>, 22.1-270<\/a> or 22.1-271.2<\/a>, are not immediately available upon taking the child<\/span> into custody<\/span>, the placing social services<\/span> agency shall obtain and produce or otherwise ensure compliance with such requirements for the foster child<\/span> within 30 days after the child<\/span>’s enrollment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Every local board<\/span> shall submit to the Department<\/span> through its statewide automated system the names of all foster parents licensed to provide foster care services in the locality served by the local board<\/span> and update such list quarterly. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall establish and implement a collaborative local board<\/span> placement program to increase kinship placements and the number of locally approved foster homes<\/span>. Such program shall require local boards<\/span> within each Department<\/span> of Social Services<\/span> region to work collaboratively to (i) facilitate approval of kinship foster parents through engagement, assessment, and training and (ii) expand the pool of available foster homes<\/span> within and across the localities of such local boards<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nACCEPTING CHILDREN FOR PLACEMENT IN HOMES, FACILITIES, ETC., BY LOCAL BOARDS (\u00a7\n63.2-900)\n\nA. Pursuant to § 63.2-319, a local board shall have the right to accept for\nplacement in suitable family homes, children’s residential facilities or\nindependent living arrangements, subject to the supervision of the Commissioner\nand in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, such persons under 18\nyears of age as may be entrusted to it by the parent, parents or guardian,\ncommitted by any court of competent jurisdiction, or placed through an agreement\nbetween it and the parent, parents or guardians where legal custody remains with\nthe parent, parents, or guardians.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall adopt regulations for the provision of foster care services\nby local boards, which shall be directed toward the prevention of unnecessary\nfoster care placements and towards the immediate care of and permanent planning\nfor children in the custody of or placed by local boards and that shall achieve,\nas quickly as practicable, permanent placements for such children. The local\nboard shall first seek out kinship care options to keep children out of foster\ncare and as a placement option for those children in foster care, if it is in\nthe child’s best interests, pursuant to § 63.2-900.1. In cases in\nwhich a child cannot be returned to his prior family or placed for adoption and\nkinship care is not currently in the best interests of the child, the local\nboard shall consider the placement and services that afford the best alternative\nfor protecting the child’s welfare. Placements may include but are not\nlimited to family foster care, treatment foster care, and residential care;\nhowever, the local board shall seek to place the child with a foster family\nwithin the locality of the local board or a nearby locality through the\ncollaborative local board placement program set forth in subsection F, provided\nthat such placement is in the best interests of the child. Services may include\nbut are not limited to assessment and stabilization, diligent family search,\nintensive in-home, intensive wraparound, respite, mentoring, family mentoring,\nadoption support, supported adoption, crisis stabilization or other\ncommunity-based services. The Board shall also approve in foster care policy the\nlanguage of the agreement required in § 63.2-902. The agreement shall\ninclude at a minimum a Code of Ethics and mutual responsibilities for all\nparties to the agreement.\n\t\t\tWithin 30 days of accepting for foster care placement a person under 18 years\nof age whose father is unknown, the local board shall request a search of the\nVirginia Birth Father Registry established pursuant to Article 7 (§\n63.2-1249 et seq.) of Chapter 12 to determine whether any man has registered as\nthe putative father of the child. If the search results indicate that a man has\nregistered as the putative father of the child, the local board shall contact\nthe man to begin the process to determine paternity.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall, in accordance with the regulations adopted by the\nBoard and in accordance with the entrustment agreement or other order by which\nsuch person is entrusted or committed to its care, have custody and control of\nthe person so entrusted or committed to it until he is lawfully discharged, has\nbeen adopted or has attained his majority.\n\t\t\tWhenever a local board places a child where legal custody remains with the\nparent, parents or guardians, the board shall enter into an agreement with the\nparent, parents or guardians. The agreement shall specify the responsibilities\nof each for the care and control of the child.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall have authority to place for adoption, and to consent to\nthe adoption of, any child properly committed or entrusted to its care when the\norder of commitment or entrustment agreement between the parent or parents and\nthe agency provides for the termination of all parental rights and\nresponsibilities with respect to the child for the purpose of placing and\nconsenting to the adoption of the child.\n\t\t\tThe local board shall also have the right to accept temporary custody of any\nperson under 18 years of age taken into custody pursuant to subdivision B of\n§ 16.1-246 or § 63.2-1517. The placement of a child in a foster home,\nwhether within or without the Commonwealth, shall not be for the purpose of\nadoption unless the placement agreement between the foster parents and the local\nboard specifically so stipulates.\n\nB. Prior to the approval of any family for placement of a child, a home study\nshall be completed and the prospective foster or adoptive parents shall be\ninformed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and resources\nfor help and support for caretakers is available on a website maintained by the\nDepartment as prescribed in regulations adopted by the Board. Home studies by\nlocal boards and licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in\naccordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda\nthereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including all related\napproval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this\nsection, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be\ntransferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing\nagencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster\nparent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or\nregulation.\n\nC. Prior to placing any such child in any foster home or children’s\nresidential facility, the local board shall enter into a written agreement with\nthe foster parents, pursuant to § 63.2-902, or other appropriate custodian\nsetting forth therein the conditions under which the child is so placed pursuant\nto § 63.2-902. However, if a child is placed in a children’s\nresidential facility licensed as a temporary emergency shelter, and a verbal\nagreement for placement is secured within eight hours of the child’s\narrival at the facility, the written agreement does not need to be entered into\nprior to placement, but shall be completed and signed by the local board and the\nfacility representative within 24 hours of the child’s arrival or by the\nend of the next business day after the child’s arrival.\n\t\t\tAgreements entered into pursuant to this subsection shall include a statement\nby the local board that all reasonably ascertainable background, medical, and\npsychological records of the child, including whether the child has been the\nsubject of an investigation as the perpetrator of sexual abuse, have been\nprovided to the foster home or children’s residential facility.\n\nD. Within 72 hours of placing a child of school age in a foster care placement,\nas defined in § 63.2-100, the local social services agency making such\nplacement shall, in writing, (i) notify the principal of the school in which the\nstudent is to be enrolled and the superintendent of the relevant school division\nor his designee of such placement, and (ii) inform the principal of the status\nof the parental rights.\n\t\t\tIf the documents required for enrollment of the foster child pursuant to\n§ 22.1-3.1, 22.1-270 or 22.1-271.2, are not immediately available upon\ntaking the child into custody, the placing social services agency shall obtain\nand produce or otherwise ensure compliance with such requirements for the foster\nchild within 30 days after the child’s enrollment.\n\nE. Every local board shall submit to the Department through its statewide\nautomated system the names of all foster parents licensed to provide foster care\nservices in the locality served by the local board and update such list\nquarterly.\n\nF. The Department shall establish and implement a collaborative local board\nplacement program to increase kinship placements and the number of locally\napproved foster homes. Such program shall require local boards within each\nDepartment of Social Services region to work collaboratively to (i) facilitate\napproval of kinship foster parents through engagement, assessment, and training\nand (ii) expand the pool of available foster homes within and across the\nlocalities of such local boards.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 63-73; 1952, c. 409; 1960, c. 331; 1968, cc. 466, 578, \u00a7\n63.1-56; 1975, cc. 248, 406; 1977, cc. 559, 562, 634, 645; 1978, c. 734; 1984,\nc. 734; 1986, c. 281; 1991, c. 34; 1994, c. 865; 1999, c. 889; 2002, c. 747;\n2004, c. 70; 2005, cc. 343, 653; 2006, c. 360; 2008, cc. 241, 308; 2010, c. 551;\n2011, cc. 9, 170; 2015, c. 531; 2017, cc. 193, 200; 2018, c. 694; 2019, c. 446;\n2022, Sp. Sess. I, c. 10; 2023, c. 340.","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}}