RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 633 (HB 727) 2022 Regular Session Bacala
Existing law (Ch.C. Art. 1207) provides for the duties of the Department of Children and
Family Services to conduct a home study and prepare a confidential report of the
department's investigation of the proposed agency adoption.
New law retains existing law but provides for duties of the licensed private adoption agency.
Prior to the final decree of the adoption, the licensed private adoption placing agency shall
ensure certain prerequisites are completed by certain professionals.
New law provides that the licensed private adoption agency or department, if the child is in
custody of the department, shall utilize a social worker in the employ of a licensed adoption
agency, licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist,
medical psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family therapist, or, if
the child is in custody of the department, by a department employee or designee.
New law provides that the prerequisites include certain in-home visits and preparing a report
of information obtained from the visits. New law provides that the family shall be provided
access to resources.
Existing law (Ch.C. Art. 1213) provides that prior to the final decree of the adoption, the
licensed private adoption agency or department, if the child is in the custody of the
department, shall ensure all prerequisites are completed including in-home visits and a
report. If an interlocutory decree has been entered, a second confidential report must be
presented to the court.
New law moves the prerequisites for the final decree of adoption from existing law (Ch.C.
Art. 1213) to new law (Ch.C. Art. 1207). New law clarifies existing law to provide that if
an interlocutory decree has been entered, a second confidential report shall be presented to
the court.
Existing law (Ch.C. Art. 1229) provides for the duties of the department to conduct a home
study and to prepare a confidential report of the department's investigation of the proposed
agency adoption.
New law retains existing law but provides for duties of the attorney arranging the private
adoption. Prior to the final decree of the adoption, the attorney arranging the adoption shall
ensure certain prerequisites are completed by certain professionals.
New law provides that the attorney arranging the adoption shall utilize a social worker in the
employ of a licensed private adoption agency, licensed social worker, licensed professional
counselor, licensed psychologist, medical psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed
marriage and family therapist, or, if the child is in custody of the department, by a department
employee or designee.
New law provides that the prerequisites include certain in-home visits and preparing a report
of information obtained from the visits. New law provides that the family shall be provided
access to resources.
Existing law (Ch.C. Art. 1235) provides that prior to the final decree of the adoption, the
attorney arranging the private adoption shall ensure all prerequisites are completed including
in-home visits and a report. If an interlocutory decree has been entered, a second confidential
report shall be presented to the court.
New law moves the prerequisites for the final decree of adoption from existing law (Ch.C.
Art. 1235) to new law (Ch.C. Art. 1229). New law clarifies existing law to provide that if
an interlocutory decree has been entered, a second confidential report shall be presented to
the court.
Effective August 1, 2022.
(Amends Ch.C. Arts. 1207, 1213(A) and (C), 1229, and 1235(A) and (C); Repeals Ch.C.
Arts. 1213(D) and 1235(C))