A. The pre-placement study shall be performed as prescribed by department regulation and shall include at a minimum the following:
(1) an individual interview with each petitioner;
(2) a joint interview with both petitioners; if a joint interview is not conducted, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study;
(3) a home visit, which shall include an interview with the petitioner's children and any other permanent residents of the petitioner's home;
(4) an interview with the adoptee, if age appropriate;
(5) an individual interview with each of the adoptee's parents; if a parent is not interviewed, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study;
(6) full disclosure to the petitioner;
(7) exploration of the petitioners' philosophy concerning discussion of adoption issues with the adoptee;
(8) the initiation of a criminal records check of each petitioner;
(9) a medical certificate dated not more than one year prior to any adoptive placement assessing the petitioner's health as it relates to the petitioner's ability to care for the adoptee;
(10) a minimum of three letters of reference from individuals named by the petitioner or memoranda of the dates and contents of personal contacts with the references;
(11) a statement of the capacity and readiness of the petitioner for parenthood and the petitioner's emotional and physical health and ability to shelter, feed, clothe and educate the adoptee;
(12) verification of the petitioner's employment, financial resources and marital status;
(13) a report of a medical examination performed on the adoptee within one year prior to the proposed adoptive placement;
(14) a statement of the results of any prior pre-placement study or initiation of a pre-placement study, if any, of the petitioners done by any person; and
(15) the investigator shall attach a copy of proof of certification by the department for the investigator to conduct pre-placement studies, or if the preparer of the pre-placement study is out-of-state, the preparer shall attach a statement setting forth qualifications that are equivalent to those required of an investigator pursuant to the provisions of Section 32A-5-13 NMSA 1978 and department regulations.
B. The pre-placement study shall be completed at the cost of the petitioner.
C. Unless directed by the court, a pre-placement study is not required in cases in which the child is being adopted by a stepparent, a relative or a person named in the child's deceased parent's will pursuant to Section 32A-5-12 NMSA 1978.
D. The pre-placement study shall be filed with the court.
History: 1978 Comp., § 32A-5-14, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 77, § 141; 1995, ch. 206, § 32.
ANNOTATIONSThe 1995 amendment, effective July 1, 1995, deleted former Paragraph (14) of Subsection A relating to a statement documenting the adoptee's family background and redesignated the remaining paragraphs accordingly, substituted "32A-5-13" for "32-5-13" in Paragraph (15) of Subsection A, and added Subsections C and D.