                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

HOME STUDY; MEETING REQUIRED; EXCEPTION (§ 63.2-1231)

A. Prior to the consent hearing in the juvenile and domestic relations district
court, a home study of the adoptive parent(s) shall be completed by a licensed
or duly authorized child-placing agency and the prospective 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 in accordance with regulations adopted by the
Board. Home studies by local boards or 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
adoptive parent, subject to any time limitations set forth in subsection B and
any other requirements imposed by law or regulation.
			All home studies conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board
or a child-placing agency, shall make inquiry as to (i) whether the prospective
adoptive parents are financially able, morally suitable, and in satisfactory
physical and mental health to enable them to care for the child; (ii) the
physical and mental condition of the child, if known; (iii) the circumstances
under which the child came to live, or will be living, in the home of the
prospective adoptive family, as applicable; (iv) what fees have been paid by the
prospective adoptive family or in their behalf in the placement and adoption of
the child; (v) whether the requirements of subdivisions A 1, 2, 3, and 5 of
&#xA7; 63.2-1232 have been met; and (vi) any other matters specified by the
circuit court. In the course of the home study, the agency social worker,
family-services specialist, or other qualified equivalent worker shall meet at
least once with the birth parent(s) and at least once with the prospective
adoptive parents. Upon agreement of both parties, such meetings may occur
simultaneously or separately.

B. Any home study conducted pursuant to this section for the purpose of parental
placement or agency placement shall be valid for a period of 36 months from the
date of completion of the study. However, the Board may, by regulation, require
an additional state criminal background check before finalizing an adoption if
more than 18 months have passed from the completion of the home study.

HISTORY: 1989, c. 647, § 63.1-220.3; 1991, cc. 364, 602; 1992, c. 125; 1993,
cc. 338, 553; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 1999, c. 1028; 2000, c. 830, § 63.1-219.38;
2002, c. 747; 2006, cc. 825, 848; 2007, c. 808; 2008, c. 494; 2010, c. 551;
2014, c. 285; 2017, c. 193; 2023, c. 340.