                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATE HOME (§ 63.2-1225)

A. In determining the appropriate home in which to place a child for adoption, a
married couple or an unmarried individual shall be eligible to receive placement
of a child for purposes of adoption. Prior to or after the acceptance of custody
of a child placed for adoption, a licensed child-placing agency or a local board
shall consider the recommendations of the birth parent(s), a physician or
attorney licensed in the Commonwealth, or a clergyman who is familiar with the
situation of the prospective adoptive parent(s) or the child. No birth parent,
physician, attorney or clergyman shall advertise that he is available to make
recommendations, nor shall he charge any fee for such recommendations to a board
or agency, except that an attorney may charge for legal fees and services
rendered in connection with such placement.

B. The agency or local board may give consideration to placement of the child
with the recommended adoptive parent(s) if the agency or local board finds that
such placement is in the best interest of the child. When the birth parent(s)
has recommended such placement, the agency or local board shall provide the
birth parent(s) the opportunity to be represented by independent legal counsel
as well as the opportunity for counseling with a social worker, family-services
specialist, or other qualified equivalent worker. The agency or board also shall
advise the prospective adoptive parent(s) of the right to be represented by
independent legal counsel. The parties may, but are not required to, exchange
identifying information as provided for in subdivision A 3 of &#xA7; 63.2-1232.

HISTORY: 1989, c. 647, § 63.1-220.2; 1990, c. 202; 1991, c. 364; 1995, cc. 772,
826; 1999, c. 1028; 2000, c. 830, § 63.1-219.32; 2002, c. 747; 2003, c. 779;
2006, cc. 654, 825; 2009, c. 805; 2014, c. 285.