This ACL describes 3 amended Family Code Sections affect the Independent Adoptions Program (IAP). 1) the date the required investigation must be submitted to the court has changed from within 180 days after the filing of the petition to 180 days from when the adoption agency had received a copy of the filed petition and 50 percent of the adoption investigation fee. (This change does not affect the required interview with the petitioners within the 45 day period.); 2) the increase of the full fee from $2,950 to $4,500, or $1,550 for petitioners who have a valid preplacement evaluation; 3) the fee waiver is eliminated. Petitioners who meet the “very low income” limits can apply for a reduced fee with at least a minimum payment of $500. A factsheet is attached to the ACL. [Download]

In 2007, Family Code Section 9205 was amended to permit adoptees and siblings greater opportunities to initiate and make contact with each other. (See ACL 07-17.)  This ACIN “regrets to inform” counties that, due to budgetary shortfalls, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed funding for implementation of AB 2488, stating that implementation of the program would be delayed for one year.  Furthermore, the state has recommended repealing AB 2488 altogether.  [Download]

The “how to’s” of getting a Good Standing letter. Available only to licensed agencies, and not individuals. Includes a reminder that when adoption agencies are facilitating adoptions with non-Hague Convention countries, requests may be made by these countries that may be outside the parameters of California’s laws and regulations. As such, the adoption agency and prospective adoptive family may find the CDSS is unable to accommodate these requests, and the adoption may be at risk. Accredited agencies must inform a prospective adoptive family in the adoption services contract whether it will or will not provide any post-adoption services, such as reports. [Download]

California requires all Adoption Facilitators to register with the CDSS. (Adoption facilitators put birth mothers in touch with prospective adoptive parents, and are to disclose that they are not adoption agencies.) This ACL discusses the standards for registration, which involves an application and Live Scan. The letter discusses the complaint process, and lists the “no no’s” for facilitators (can’t advertise or photograph children, have even momentary custody of the child to be adopted, or mislead parties that the facilitator is an adoption agency.) [Download]

Senate Bill 1393 amended Family Code Section 8919 to include specific requirements that must be met in order for a a California Superior Court to issue a final readoption order. (Readoption is the process of completing a second adoption in California after a foreign born child has been adopted in a foreign country by California residents.) Currently, readoption in California is not mandatory by California law, but may be required by the federal government for immigration purposes.

The bill also establishes alternative requirements for readoption when the original adoption occurred in a country whose adoption laws have been certified by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as meeting or exceeding those of California’s. The countries eligible for certification are: China, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Russia, and South Korea. The certification process is currently being developed by the CDSS. When these countries have been certified, the state will provide further instructions. A new birth certificate shall be established by the State Registrar upon receipt of a readoption order issued by the Superior Court. [Download]

Information on the new rules making it easier for adopted children to find and contact their siblings. [Download]