CHAPTER 575

H.P. 1276 - L.D. 1754

An Act To Permit Background Checks on Prospective

Adoptive Parents

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 18-A MRSA §9-304, sub-§(a-1), as amended by PL 2001, c. 546, §1, is further amended to read:

(a-1) Upon the filing of a petition for adoption of a minor child, the court shall request a background check and shall direct the department or a licensed child-placing agency to conduct a study and make a report to the court.

(1) The study must include an investigation of the conditions and antecedents of the child to determine whether the child is a proper subject for adoption and whether the proposed home is suitable for the child. The department or licensed child-placing agency shall submit the report to the court within 60 days.

(i) If the court has a report that provides sufficient, current information, the court may waive the requirement of a study and report.

(ii) If the petitioner is a blood relative of the child, the court may waive the requirement of a study and report.