The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation.
Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.
| Section |
Section 3107.01 | Adoption definitions.
Effective:
March 22, 2001
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly
As used in sections 3107.01 to 3107.19 of the Revised Code: (A) "Agency" means any public or private organization certified, licensed, or otherwise specially empowered by law or rule to place minors for adoption. (B) "Attorney" means a person who has been admitted to the bar by order of the Ohio supreme court. (C) "Child" means a son or daughter, whether by birth or by adoption. (D) "Court" means the probate courts of this state, and when the context requires, means the court of any other state empowered to grant petitions for adoption. (E) "Foster caregiver" has the same meaning as in section 5103.02 of the Revised Code. (F) "Identifying information" means any of the following with regard to a person: first name, last name, maiden name, alias, social security number, address, telephone number, place of employment, number used to identify the person for the purpose of the statewide education management information system established pursuant to section 3301.0714 of the Revised Code, and any other number federal or state law requires or permits to be used to identify the person. (G) "Minor" means a person under the age of eighteen years. (H) "Putative father" means a man, including one under age eighteen, who may be a child's father and to whom all of the following apply: (1) He is not married to the child's mother at the time of the child's conception or birth; (2) He has not adopted the child; (3) He has not been determined, prior to the date a petition to adopt the child is filed, to have a parent and child relationship with the child by a court proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code, a court proceeding in another state, an administrative agency proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.38 to 3111.54 of the Revised Code, or an administrative agency proceeding in another state; (4) He has not acknowledged paternity of the child pursuant to sections 3111.21 to 3111.35 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.011 | Arranging adoptions.
Effective:
September 21, 2006
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 238 - 126th General Assembly
(A) A person seeking to adopt a minor shall utilize an agency or attorney to arrange the adoption. Only an agency or attorney may arrange an adoption. An attorney may not represent with regard to the adoption both the person seeking to adopt and the parent placing a child for adoption. Any person may informally aid or promote an adoption by making a person seeking to adopt a minor aware of a minor who will be or is available for adoption. (B) A person seeking to adopt a minor who knowingly makes a false statement that is included in an application submitted to an agency or attorney to obtain services of that agency or attorney in arranging an adoption is guilty of the offense of falsification under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.012 | Applying for adoption by foster caregiver.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 7 - 127th General Assembly
(A) A foster caregiver may use the application prescribed under division (B) of this section to obtain the services of an agency to arrange an adoption for the foster caregiver if the foster caregiver seeks to adopt the foster caregiver's foster child who has resided in the foster caregiver's home for at least six months prior to the date the foster caregiver submits the application to the agency. (B) The department of job and family services shall prescribe an application for a foster caregiver to use under division (A) of this section. The application shall not require that the foster caregiver provide any information the foster caregiver already provided the department, or undergo an inspection the foster caregiver already underwent, to obtain a foster home certificate under section 5103.03 of the Revised Code. (C) An agency that receives an application prescribed under division (B) of this section from a foster caregiver authorized to use the application shall not require, as a condition of the agency accepting or approving the application, that the foster caregiver undergo a criminal records check under section 2151.86 of the Revised Code as a prospective adoptive parent. The agency shall inform the foster caregiver, in accordance with division (G) of section 2151.86 of the Revised Code, that the foster caregiver must undergo the criminal records check before a court may issue a final decree of adoption or interlocutory order of adoption under section 3107.14 of the Revised Code.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 10:51 AM
|
Section 3107.013 | Furnishing information to foster caregiver seeking to adopt child.
Effective:
March 15, 2002
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 27 - 124th General Assembly
An agency arranging an adoption pursuant to an application submitted to the agency under section 3107.012 of the Revised Code for a foster caregiver seeking to adopt the foster caregiver's foster child shall provide the foster caregiver information about adoption, including information about state adoption law, adoption assistance available pursuant to section 5153.163 of the Revised Code and Title IV-E of the "Social Security Act," 94 Stat. 501, 42 U.S.C.A. 670 (1980), as amended, the types of behavior that the prospective adoptive parents may anticipate from children who have experienced abuse and neglect, suggested interventions and the assistance available if the child exhibits those types of behavior after adoption, and other adoption issues the department of job and family services identifies. The agency shall provide the information to the foster caregiver in accordance with rules the department of job and family services shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:23 PM
|
Section 3107.014 | Qualifications of assessors.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 4 - 134th General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, only an individual who meets all of the following requirements may perform the duties of an assessor under sections 3107.031, 3107.032, 3107.082, 3107.09, 3107.101, 3107.12, 5103.0324, and 5103.152 of the Revised Code: (1) The individual must be in the employ of, appointed by, or under contract with a court, public children services agency, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency; (2) The individual must be one of the following: (a) A licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed professional counselor, independent social worker, social worker, independent marriage and family therapist, or marriage and family therapist licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code; (b) A psychologist licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code; (c) A student working to earn a four-year, post-secondary degree, or higher, in a social or behavior science, or both, who conducts assessor's duties under the supervision of a licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed professional counselor, independent social worker, social worker, independent marriage and family therapist, or marriage and family therapist licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code or a psychologist licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code. Beginning July 1, 2009, a student is eligible under this division only if the supervising licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed professional counselor, independent social worker, social worker, independent marriage and family therapist, marriage and family therapist, or psychologist has completed training in accordance with rules adopted under section 3107.015 of the Revised Code. (d) A civil service employee engaging in social work without a license under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code, as permitted by division (A)(5) of section 4757.41 of the Revised Code; (e) A former employee of a public children services agency who, while so employed, conducted the duties of an assessor or the duties of a PCSA caseworker or PCSA caseworker supervisor as defined in section 5153.01 of the Revised Code; (f) An employee of a court or public children services agency who is employed to conduct the duties of an assessor; (g) A PCSA caseworker or PCSA caseworker supervisor as defined in section 5153.01 of the Revised Code; (h) An individual who holds at least a bachelor's degree in any of the following human services fields and has at least one year of experience working with families and children: (i) Social work; (ii) Sociology; (iii) Psychology; (iv) Guidance and counseling; (v) Education; (vi) Religious education; (vii) Business administration; (viii) Criminal justice; (ix) Public administration; (x) Child care administration; (xi) Nursing; (xii) Family studies; (xiii) Any other human services field related to working with children and families. (3) The individual must complete training in accordance with rules adopted under section 3107.015 of the Revised Code. (B) An individual in the employ of, appointed by, or under contract with a court prior to September 18, 1996, to conduct adoption investigations of prospective adoptive parents may perform the duties of an assessor under sections 3107.031, 3107.032, 3107.082, 3107.09, 3107.101, 3107.12, 5103.0324, and 5103.152 of the Revised Code if the individual complies with division (A)(3) of this section regardless of whether the individual meets the requirement of division (A)(2) of this section. (C) A court, public children services agency, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency may employ, appoint, or contract with an assessor in the county in which a petition for adoption is filed and in any other county or location outside this state where information needed to complete or supplement the assessor's duties may be obtained. More than one assessor may be utilized for an adoption. (D) Not later than January 1, 2008, the department of job and family services shall develop and maintain an assessor registry. The registry shall list all individuals who are employed, appointed by, or under contract with a court, public children services agency, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency and meet the requirements of an assessor as described in this section. A public children services agency, private child placing agency, private noncustodial agency, court, or any other person may contact the department to determine if an individual is listed in the assessor registry. An individual listed in the assessor registry shall immediately inform the department when that individual is no longer employed, appointed by, or under contract with a court, public children services agency, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency to perform the duties of an assessor as described in this section. The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code necessary for the implementation, contents, and maintenance of the registry, and any sanctions related to the provision of information, or the failure to provide information, that is needed for the proper operation of the assessor registry.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:24 PM
|
Section 3107.015 | Education programs for assessors.
Effective:
September 21, 2006
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 238 - 126th General Assembly
The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the training an individual must complete for the purpose of division (A)(3) of section 3107.014 of the Revised Code. The training shall include courses on adoption placement practice, federal and state adoption assistance programs, and post adoption support services.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 10:53 AM
|
Section 3107.016 | Schedule of education programs.
Effective:
September 21, 2006
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 238 - 126th General Assembly
The department of job and family services shall develop a schedule of training that meets the requirements established in rules adopted pursuant to section 3107.015 of the Revised Code. The schedule shall include enough training to provide all agencies equal access to the training. The department shall distribute the schedule to all agencies.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:29 PM
|
Section 3107.017 | Standardized form for disclosure of information.
Effective:
March 15, 2002
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 27 - 124th General Assembly
The department of job and family services shall develop a standardized form for the disclosure of information about a prospective adoptive child to prospective adoptive parents. The information disclosed shall include all background information available on the child. The department shall distribute the form to all agencies.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 10:54 AM
|
Section 3107.02 | Who may be adopted - physical examination.
Effective:
October 12, 2016
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly
(A) Any minor may be adopted. (B) An adult may be adopted under any of the following conditions: (1) If the adult is totally or permanently disabled; (2) If the adult is determined to be a person with an intellectual disability; (3) If the adult had established a child-foster caregiver, kinship caregiver, or child-stepparent relationship with the petitioners as a minor, and the adult consents to the adoption; (4) If the adult was, at the time of the adult's eighteenth birthday, in the permanent custody of or in a planned permanent living arrangement with a public children services agency or a private child placing agency, and the adult consents to the adoption; (5) If the adult is the child of the spouse of the petitioner, and the adult consents to the adoption. (C) When proceedings to adopt a minor are initiated by the filing of a petition, and the eighteenth birthday of the minor occurs prior to the decision of the court, the court shall require the person who is to be adopted to submit a written statement of consent or objection to the adoption. If an objection is submitted, the petition shall be dismissed, and if a consent is submitted, the court shall proceed with the case, and may issue an interlocutory order or final decree of adoption. (D) Any physical examination of the individual to be adopted as part of or in contemplation of a petition to adopt may be conducted by any health professional authorized by the Revised Code to perform physical examinations, including a physician assistant, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife. Any written documentation of the physical examination shall be completed by the healthcare professional who conducted the examination. (E) An adult who consents to an adoption pursuant to division (B)(4) of this section shall provide the court with the name and contact information of the public children services agency or private child placing agency that had permanent custody of or a planned permanent living arrangement with that adult. The petitioner shall request verification from the agency as to whether the adult was or was not in the permanent custody of or in a planned permanent living arrangement with that agency at the time of the adult's eighteenth birthday and provide the verification to the court. (F) As used in this section: (1) "Developmental disability" has the same meaning as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code. (2) "Kinship caregiver" has the same meaning as in section 5101.85 of the Revised Code. (3) "Permanent custody" and "planned permanent living arrangement" have the same meanings as in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.03 | Who may adopt.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
The following persons may adopt: (A) A husband and wife together, at least one of whom is an adult; (B) An unmarried adult; (C) The unmarried minor parent of the person to be adopted; (D) A married adult without the other spouse joining as a petitioner if any of the following apply: (1) The other spouse is a parent of the person to be adopted and supports the adoption; (2) The petitioner and the other spouse are separated under section 3103.06 or 3105.17 of the Revised Code; (3) The failure of the other spouse to join in the petition or to support the adoption is found by the court to be by reason of prolonged unexplained absence, unavailability, incapacity, or circumstances that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult to obtain either the support or refusal of the other spouse.
|
Section 3107.031 | Assessor to conduct home study - false statements.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 7 - 127th General Assembly
Except as otherwise provided in this section, an assessor shall conduct a home study for the purpose of ascertaining whether a person seeking to adopt a minor is suitable to adopt. A written report of the home study shall be filed with the court at least ten days before the petition for adoption is heard. A person seeking to adopt a minor who knowingly makes a false statement that is included in the written report of a home study conducted pursuant to this section is guilty of the offense of falsification under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code, and such a home study shall not be filed with the court. If such a home study is filed with the court, the court may strike the home study from the court's records. The report shall contain the opinion of the assessor as to whether the person who is the subject of the report is suitable to adopt a minor, any multiple children assessment required under section 3107.032 of the Revised Code, and other information and documents specified in rules adopted by the director of job and family services under section 3107.033 of the Revised Code. The assessor shall not consider the person's age when determining whether the person is suitable to adopt if the person is old enough to adopt as provided by section 3107.03 of the Revised Code. An assessor may request departments or agencies within or outside this state to assist in the home study as may be appropriate and to make a written report to be included with and attached to the report to the court. The assessor shall make similar home studies and reports on behalf of other assessors designated by the courts of this state or another place. Upon order of the court, the costs of the home study and other proceedings shall be paid by the person seeking to adopt, and, if the home study is conducted by a public agency or public employee, the part of the cost representing any services and expenses shall be taxed as costs and paid into the state treasury or county treasury, as the court may direct. On request, the assessor shall provide the person seeking to adopt a copy of the report of the home study. The assessor shall delete from that copy any provisions concerning the opinion of other persons, excluding the assessor, of the person's suitability to adopt a minor. This section does not apply to a foster caregiver seeking to adopt the foster caregiver's foster child if the foster child has resided in the foster caregiver's home for at least six months prior to the date the foster caregiver submits an application prescribed under division (B) of section 3107.012 of the Revised Code to the agency arranging the adoption.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:31 PM
|
Section 3107.032 | Multiple children assessment - when required.
Effective:
September 21, 2006
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 238 - 126th General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, each time a person seeking to adopt a minor or foster child will have at least five children residing in the prospective adoptive home after the minor or foster child to be adopted is placed in the home, an assessor, on behalf of an agency or attorney arranging an adoption pursuant to sections 3107.011 or 3107.012 of the Revised Code, shall complete a multiple children assessment during the home study. The multiple children assessment shall evaluate the ability of the person seeking to adopt in meeting the needs of the minor or foster child to be adopted and continuing to meet the needs of the children residing in the home. The assessor shall include the multiple children assessment in the written report of the home study filed pursuant to section 3107.031 of the Revised Code. (B) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code necessary for an assessor to complete a multiple children assessment. (C) This section does not apply to an adoption by a stepparent whose spouse is a biological or adoptive parent of the minor to be adopted.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 10:55 AM
|
Section 3107.033 | Home study and report rules.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 7 - 127th General Assembly
Not later than June 1, 2009, the director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code specifying both of the following: (A) The manner in which a home study is to be conducted and the information and documents to be included in a home study report, which shall include, pursuant to section 3107.034 of the Revised Code, a summary report of a search of the uniform statewide automated child welfare information system established in section 5101.13 of the Revised Code and a report of a check of a central registry of another state if a request for a check of a central registry of another state is required under division (A) of section 3107.034 of the Revised Code. The director shall ensure that rules adopted under this section align the home study content, time period, and process with any foster care home study content, time period, and process required by rules adopted under section 5103.03 of the Revised Code. (B) A procedure under which a person whose application for adoption has been denied as a result of a search of the uniform statewide automated child welfare information system established in section 5101.13 of the Revised Code as part of the home study may appeal the denial to the agency that employed the assessor who filed the report.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:41 PM
|
Section 3107.034 | Search report to include abuse/neglect information.
Effective:
August 14, 2008
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 163 - 127th General Assembly
(A) Whenever a prospective adoptive parent or a person eighteen years of age or older who resides with a prospective adoptive parent has resided in another state within the five-year period immediately prior to the date on which a criminal records check is requested for the person under division (A) of section 2151.86 of the Revised Code, the administrative director of an agency, or attorney, who arranges the adoption for the prospective adoptive parent shall request a check of the central registry of abuse and neglect of this state from the department of job and family services regarding the prospective adoptive parent or the person eighteen years of age or older who resides with the prospective adoptive parent to enable the agency or attorney to check any child abuse and neglect registry maintained by that other state. The administrative director or attorney shall make the request and shall review the results of the check before a final decree of adoption or an interlocutory order of adoption making the person an adoptive parent may be made. Information received pursuant to the request shall be considered for purposes of this chapter as if it were a summary report required under section 3107.033 of the Revised Code. The department of job and family services shall comply with any request to check the central registry that is similar to the request described in this division and that is received from any other state. (B) The summary report of a search of the uniform statewide automated child welfare information system established in section 5101.13 of the Revised Code that is required under section 3107.033 of the Revised Code shall contain, if applicable, a chronological list of abuse and neglect determinations or allegations of which the person seeking to adopt is subject and in regards to which a public children services agency has done one of the following: (1) Determined that abuse or neglect occurred; (2) Initiated an investigation, and the investigation is ongoing; (3) Initiated an investigation and the agency was unable to determine whether abuse or neglect occurred. (C) The summary report required under section 3107.033 of the Revised Code shall not contain any of the following: (1) An abuse and neglect determination of which the person seeking to adopt is subject and in regards to which a public children services agency determined that abuse or neglect did not occur; (2) Information or reports the dissemination of which is prohibited by, or interferes with eligibility under, the "Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act," 88 Stat. 4 (1974), 42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., as amended; (3) The name of the person who or entity that made, or participated in the making of, the report of abuse or neglect. (D)(1) An application for adoption may be denied based on a summary report containing the information described under division (B)(1) of this section, when considered within the totality of the circumstances. An application that is denied may be appealed using the procedure adopted pursuant to division (B) of section 3107.033 of the Revised Code. (2) An application for adoption shall not be denied solely based on a summary report containing the information described under division (B)(2) or (3) of this section.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:43 PM
|
Section 3107.035 | Search of national sex offender web site.
Effective:
October 17, 2019
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) At the time of the initial home study, and every two years thereafter, if the home study is updated, and until it becomes part of a final decree of adoption or an interlocutory order of adoption, the agency or attorney that arranges an adoption for the prospective adoptive parent shall conduct a search of the United States department of justice national sex offender public web site regarding the prospective adoptive parent and all persons eighteen years of age or older who reside with the prospective adoptive parent. (B) A petition for adoption may be denied based solely on the results of the search of the national sex offender public web site. (C) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code necessary for the implementation and execution of this section.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 10:56 AM
|
Section 3107.04 | Filing petition - caption.
Effective:
January 1, 1977
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 156 - 111th General Assembly
(A) A petition for adoption shall be filed in the court in the county in which the person to be adopted was born, or in which, at the time of filing the petition, the petitioner or the person to be adopted or parent of the person to be adopted resides, or in which the petitioner is stationed in military service, or in which the agency having the permanent custody of the person to be adopted is located. (B) If the court finds in the interest of justice that the case should be heard in another forum, the court may stay the proceedings or dismiss the petition in whole or in part on any conditions that are just, or certify the case to another court. (C) The caption of a petition for adoption shall be styled, "in the matter of adoption of __________________". The person to be adopted shall be designated in the caption under the name by which he is to be known if the petition is granted.
|
Section 3107.05 | Contents of petition.
Effective:
January 1, 1977
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 156 - 111th General Assembly
(A) A petition for adoption shall be prepared and filed according to the procedure for commencing an action under the Rules of Civil Procedure. It shall include the following information: (1) The date and place of birth of the person to be adopted, if known; (2) The name of the person to be adopted, if known; (3) The name to be used for the person to be adopted; (4) The date of placement of a minor and the name of the person placing the minor; (5) The full name, age, place, and duration of residence of the petitioner; (6) The marital status of the petitioner, including the date and place of marriage, if married; (7) The relationship to the petitioner of the person to be adopted; (8) That the petitioner has facilities and resources suitable to provide for the nurture and care of the person to be adopted, and that it is the desire of the petitioner to establish the relationship of parent and child with the person to be adopted; (9) A description and estimate of value of all property of the person to be adopted; (10) The name and address, if known, of any person whose consent to the adoption is required, but who has not consented, and facts that explain the lack of the consent normally required to the adoption. (B) A certified copy of the birth certificate of the person to be adopted, if available, and ordinary copies of the required consents, and relinquishments of consents, if any, shall be filed with the clerk.
|
Section 3107.051 | Time for filing.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, a person seeking to adopt a minor, or the agency or attorney arranging the adoption, shall submit a petition for the minor's adoption no later than ninety days after the date the minor is placed in the person's home. Failure to file a petition within the time provided by this division does not affect a court's jurisdiction to hear the petition and is not grounds for denying the petition. (B) This section does not apply if any of the following apply: (1) The person seeking to adopt the minor is the minor's stepparent; (2) The minor was not originally placed in the person's home with the purpose of the person adopting the minor; (3) The minor is a "child with special needs," as defined by the director of job and family services in accordance with section 5153.163 of the Revised Code.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:46 PM
|
Section 3107.055 | Preliminary estimate and final accounting - summary of proceedings.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
(A)(1) Notwithstanding section 3107.01 of the Revised Code, as used in this section, "agency" does not include a public children services agency. (2) As used in this section, "living expenses" means any of the following expenses incurred by a birth mother: (a) Rental or mortgage payments; (b) Utility payments; (c) Payments for products or services required for the birth mother's or minor's sustenance or safety including, but not limited to, food, household goods, personal care items, and the costs of transportation to work or school. (B) An agency or attorney, whichever arranges a minor's adoption, shall file with the court a preliminary estimate accounting not later than the time the adoption petition for the minor is filed with the court. The agency or attorney, whichever arranges the adoption, also shall file a final accounting with the court before a final decree of adoption is issued or an interlocutory order of adoption is finalized for the minor. The agency or attorney shall complete and file accountings in a manner acceptable to the court. An accounting shall specify all disbursements of anything of value the petitioner, a person on the petitioner's behalf, and the agency or attorney made and has agreed to make in connection with the minor's permanent surrender under division (B) of section 5103.15 of the Revised Code, placement under section 5103.16 of the Revised Code, and adoption under this chapter. The agency or attorney shall include in an accounting an itemization of each expense listed in division (C) of this section. The itemization of the expenses specified in divisions (C)(3) and (4) of this section shall show the amount the agency or attorney charged or is going to charge for the services and the actual cost to the agency or attorney of providing the services. An accounting shall indicate whether any expenses listed in division (C) of this section do not apply to the adoption proceeding for which the accounting is filed. The agency or attorney shall include with a preliminary estimate accounting and a final accounting a written statement signed by the petitioner that the petitioner has reviewed the accounting and attests to its accuracy. (C) No petitioner, person acting on a petitioner's behalf, or agency or attorney shall make or agree to make any disbursements in connection with the minor's permanent surrender, placement, or adoption other than for the following: (1) Physician expenses incurred on behalf of the birth mother or minor in connection with prenatal care, delivery, and confinement prior to or following the minor's birth; (2) Hospital or other medical facility expenses incurred on behalf of the birth mother or minor in connection with the minor's birth; (3) Expenses charged by the attorney arranging the adoption for providing legal services in connection with the placement and adoption, including expenses incurred by the attorney pursuant to sections 3107.031, 3107.032, 3107.081, 3107.082, 3107.09, 3107.101, and 3107.12 of the Revised Code; (4) Expenses charged by the agency arranging the adoption for providing services in connection with the permanent surrender and adoption, including the agency's application fee and the expenses incurred by the agency pursuant to sections 3107.031, 3107.032, 3107.09, 3107.101, 3107.12, 5103.151, and 5103.152 of the Revised Code; (5) Temporary costs of routine maintenance and medical care for a minor required under section 5103.16 of the Revised Code if the person seeking to adopt the minor refuses to accept placement of the minor; (6) Guardian ad litem fees incurred on behalf of the minor in any court proceedings; (7) Foster care expenses incurred in connection with any temporary care and maintenance of the minor; (8) Court expenses incurred in connection with the minor's permanent surrender, placement, and adoption; (9) Living expenses not exceeding three thousand dollars for the birth mother that are incurred during pregnancy through the sixtieth day after the date the minor is born and paid by the petitioner to the birth mother through the attorney or agency arranging the minor's adoption. (D) If a court determines from an accounting that an amount that is going to be disbursed for an expense listed in division (C) of this section is unreasonable, the court may order a reduction in the amount to be disbursed. If a court determines from an accounting that an unreasonable amount was disbursed for an expense listed in division (C) of this section, the court may order the person who received the disbursement to refund to the person who made the disbursement an amount the court orders. If a court determines from an accounting that a disbursement for an expense not permitted by division (C) of this section is going to be made, the court may issue an injunction prohibiting the disbursement. If a court determines from an accounting that a disbursement for an expense not permitted by division (C) of this section was made, the court may order the person who received the disbursement to return it to the person who made the disbursement. If a court determines that a final accounting does not completely report all the disbursements that are going to be made or have been made in connection with the minor's permanent surrender, placement, and adoption, the court shall order the agency or attorney to file with the court an accounting that completely reports all such disbursements. The agency or attorney shall file the final accounting with the court not later than ten days prior to the date scheduled for the final hearing on the adoption. The court may not issue a final decree of adoption or finalize an interlocutory order of adoption of a minor until at least ten days after the agency or attorney files the final accounting. (E) An attorney or agency that makes payments for services or items that qualify as living expenses under division (C)(9) of this section shall make a reasonable and good faith effort to make the payments directly to the entity providing the service or item. (F) This section does not apply to an adoption by a stepparent whose spouse is a biological or adoptive parent of the minor.
|
Section 3107.06 | Consent to adoption.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 7 - 127th General Assembly
Unless consent is not required under section 3107.07 of the Revised Code, a petition to adopt a minor may be granted only if written consent to the adoption has been executed by all of the following: (A) The mother of the minor; (B) The father of the minor, if any of the following apply: (1) The minor was conceived or born while the father was married to the mother; (2) The minor is his child by adoption; (3) Prior to the date the petition was filed, it was determined by a court proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code, a court proceeding in another state, an administrative proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.38 to 3111.54 of the Revised Code, or an administrative proceeding in another state that he has a parent and child relationship with the minor; (4) He acknowledged paternity of the child and that acknowledgment has become final pursuant to section 2151.232, 3111.25, or 3111.821 of the Revised Code. (C) The putative father of the minor; (D) Any person or agency having permanent custody of the minor or authorized by court order to consent; (E) The minor, if more than twelve years of age, unless the court, finding that it is in the best interest of the minor, determines that the minor's consent is not required.
|
Section 3107.061 | Putative father on notice that consent unnecessary.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
A man who has sexual intercourse with a woman is on notice that if a child is born as a result and the man is the putative father, the child may be adopted without his consent pursuant to division (B) of section 3107.07 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.062 | Putative father registry.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
The department of job and family services shall establish a putative father registry. To register, a putative father must complete a registration form prescribed under section 3107.065 of the Revised Code and submit it to the department. The registration form shall include the putative father's name; the name of the mother of the person he claims as his child; and the address or telephone number at which he wishes to receive, pursuant to section 3107.11 of the Revised Code, notice of any petition that may be filed to adopt a minor he claims as his child. A putative father may register at any time. For the purpose of preserving the requirement of his consent to an adoption, a putative father shall register before or not later than fifteen days after the birth of the child. No fee shall be charged for registration. On receipt of a completed registration form, the department shall indicate on the form the date of receipt and file it in the putative father registry. The department shall maintain registration forms in a manner that enables it to access a registration form using either the name of the putative father or of the mother.
|
Section 3107.063 | Searching putative father registry.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
(A) An attorney arranging a minor's adoption, a mother, a public children services agency, a private noncustodial agency, or a private child placing agency may request at any time that the department of job and family services search the putative father registry to determine whether a man is registered as the minor's putative father. The request shall include the mother's name. On receipt of the request, the department shall search the registry. If the department determines that a man is registered as the minor's putative father, it shall provide the attorney, mother, or agency a certified copy of the man's registration form. If the department determines that no man is registered as the minor's putative father, it shall provide the attorney, mother, or agency a certified written statement to that effect. The department shall specify in the statement the date the search request was submitted. No fee shall be charged for searching the registry. Division (B) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code does not apply to this section. (B) If the department of job and family services provides a certified copy of a putative father's registration form pursuant to division (A) of this section, the department also shall provide a written notice to the putative father: (1) That he may be the father of the minor he claims as his child on the registration form; (2) That the minor is being or may be placed for adoption; and (3) Of his right to consent or refuse to consent to the minor's adoption to the extent provided under Chapter 3107. of the Revised Code. (C) The department shall provide the notice under this section not later than ten business days after the date it provides the certified copy of the registration form pursuant to division (A) of this section.
|
Section 3107.064 | Filing certified results of search.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, a court shall not issue a final decree of adoption or finalize an interlocutory order of adoption unless the mother placing the minor for adoption or the agency or attorney arranging the adoption files with the court a certified document provided by the department of job and family services under section 3107.063 of the Revised Code. The court shall not accept the document unless the date the department places on the document pursuant to that section is sixteen or more days after the date of the minor's birth. (B) The document described in division (A) of this section is not required if any of the following apply: (1) The mother was married at the time the minor was conceived or born; (2) The parent placing the minor for adoption previously adopted the minor; (3) Prior to the date a petition to adopt the minor is filed, a man has been determined to have a parent and child relationship with the minor by a court proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code, a court proceeding in another state, an administrative agency proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.38 to 3111.54 of the Revised Code, or an administrative agency proceeding in another state; (4) The minor's father acknowledged paternity of the minor and that acknowledgment has become final pursuant to section 2151.232, 3111.25, or 3111.821 of the Revised Code; (5) A public children services agency has permanent custody of the minor pursuant to Chapter 2151. or division (B) of section 5103.15 of the Revised Code after both parents lost or surrendered parental rights, privileges, and responsibilities over the minor.
|
Section 3107.065 | Rules governing registry - promoting awareness.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly
Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section, the director of job and family services shall do both of the following: (A) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the putative father registry. The rules shall establish the registration form to be used by a putative father under section 3107.062 of the Revised Code. (B) Establish a campaign to promote awareness of the putative father registry. The campaign shall include informational materials about the registry.
|
Section 3107.066 | References to department of human services replaced.
Effective:
August 14, 2008
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 163 - 127th General Assembly
(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of the versions of former sections 3107.06 and 3107.07 of the Revised Code that, pursuant to Section 5 of Am. Sub. H.B. 419 of the 121st general assembly, apply regarding a putative father's consent to the adoption of any child born prior to January 1, 1997, on and after the effective date of this section, both of the following apply: (1) The references in division (F)(4) of former section 3107.06 of the Revised Code to the department of human services are repealed, and division (F)(4) of that former section shall be considered as reading, and shall be applicable, as follows: "Has filed an objection to the adoption with the agency having custody of the minor at any time before the placement of the minor in the home of the petitioner, or with the probate court within thirty days of the filing of a petition to adopt the minor or its placement in the home of the petitioner, whichever occurs first." (2) The references in division (B) of former section 3107.07 of the Revised Code to the department of human services are repealed, and division (B) of that former section shall be considered as reading, and shall be applicable, as follows: "The putative father of a minor if the putative father fails to file an objection with the court or the agency having custody of the minor as provided in division (F)(4) of section 3107.06 of the Revised Code, or files an objection with the court or agency and the court finds, after proper service of notice and hearing, that he is not the father of the minor, or that he has willfully abandoned or failed to care for and support the minor, or abandoned the mother of the minor during her pregnancy and up to the time of her surrender of the minor, or its placement in the home of the petitioner, whichever occurs first." (B) As used in this section: (1) "Former section 3107.06 of the Revised Code" means the version of that section that was in effect immediately prior to September 18, 1996, and that was amended by Am. Sub. H.B. 419 of the 121st general assembly. (2) "Former section 3107.07 of the Revised Code" means the version of that section that was in effect immediately prior to September 18, 1996, and that was amended by Am. Sub. H.B. 419 of the 121st general assembly.
|
Section 3107.067 | Notice to putative father of intent to put child up for adoption.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
(A) Before the birth of a child and with the written consent of the mother of the child, any of the following may serve or caused to be served actual notice to a putative father of the child that the mother of the child is considering placing the child for adoption: (1) An agency; (2) An attorney representing the person seeking to adopt the child; (3) An attorney representing the mother of the child. (B) As used in this section, "actual notice" means written notice that is actually received by the putative father and includes personal service or certified mail, return receipt requested.
|
Section 3107.068 | Obligation of mother.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
The mother of a child is not obligated to place the child for adoption even if notice is served to a putative father of the child under section 3107.067 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.069 | Proof of notice.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
(A) If notice to a putative father is served by a party listed in division (A)(1) or (2) of section 3107.067 of the Revised Code, an agency or an attorney representing the person seeking to adopt a child, when filing a petition for adoption of the child, shall submit to the court an affidavit setting forth the circumstances surrounding the service of actual notice including the time, if known, date, and manner in which the actual notice was provided. (B) If notice to a putative father is served by a party listed in division (A)(3) of section 3107.067 of the Revised Code, an agency or an attorney representing the person seeking to adopt a child, when filing a petition for adoption of the child, shall submit to the court an affidavit prepared by the attorney representing the mother of the child setting forth the circumstances surrounding the service of actual notice including the time, if known, date, and manner in which the actual notice was provided.
|
Section 3107.0611 | Notice to putative father.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
Notice served under section 3107.067 of the Revised Code shall be provided to the putative father of the child in substantially the following form: "_________________________ (putative father's name), who has been named as the father of the unborn child of _________________________ (birth mother's name), or who claims to be the father of the unborn child, is notified that _________________________ (birth mother's name) has expressed an intention to place the child for adoption. On receipt of this notice, _________________________ (putative father's name) may file an action under section 3111.04 of the Revised Code. Under Ohio law, a putative father means a man, including one under age eighteen, who may be a child's father and to whom all of the following apply: (1) He is not married to the child's mother at the time of the child's conception or birth. (2) He has not adopted the child. (3) He has not been determined, prior to the date a petition to adopt the child is filed, to have a parent and child relationship with the child by a court proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code, a court proceeding in another state, an administrative agency proceeding pursuant to sections 3111.38 to 3111.54 of the Revised Code, or an administrative agency proceeding in another state. (4) He has not acknowledged paternity of the child pursuant to sections 3111.20 to 3111.35 of the Revised Code. For purposes of this notice, _________________________ (putative father's name) is a putative father under the laws in Ohio regarding adoption."
|
Section 3107.0612 | Paternity action by putative father.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
A putative father who receives a notice as provided in section 3107.067 of the Revised Code may file an action under section 3111.04 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.0613 | Notice of filing of paternity action.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
A putative father who has filed an action under section 3111.04 of the Revised Code shall notify the agency or attorney who served or caused to be served the notice that he has filed that action not later than thirty days after filing that action.
|
Section 3107.0614 | Validity of notice.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
(A) A notice served in accordance with section 3107.067 of the Revised Code on a putative father who is a resident of Ohio is valid regardless of whether the notice is served within or outside Ohio. (B) A notice served in accordance with section 3107.067 of the Revised Code outside Ohio on a putative father who is not a resident of Ohio is valid if the child was conceived: (1) In Ohio; or (2) Outside Ohio, if the laws of the state in which the father is served notice or resides or in which the child was conceived allow a putative father to file an action to determine parentage of the child.
|
Section 3107.07 | Consent unnecessary.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250, Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly
Consent to adoption is not required of any of the following: (A) A parent of a minor, when it is alleged in the adoption petition and the court, after proper service of notice and hearing, finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent has failed without justifiable cause to provide more than de minimis contact with the minor or to provide for the maintenance and support of the minor as required by law or judicial decree for a period of at least one year immediately preceding either the filing of the adoption petition or the placement of the minor in the home of the petitioner. (B) The putative father of a minor if either of the following applies: (1) The putative father fails to register as the minor's putative father with the putative father registry established under section 3107.062 of the Revised Code not later than fifteen days after the minor's birth; (2) The court finds, after proper service of notice and hearing, that any of the following are the case: (a) The putative father is not the father of the minor; (b) The putative father has willfully abandoned or failed to care for and support the minor; (c) The putative father has willfully abandoned the mother of the minor during her pregnancy and up to the time of her surrender of the minor, or the minor's placement in the home of the petitioner, whichever occurs first. (C) Except as provided in section 3107.071 of the Revised Code, a parent who has entered into a voluntary permanent custody surrender agreement under division (B) of section 5103.15 of the Revised Code; (D) A parent whose parental rights have been terminated by order of a juvenile court under Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code; (E) A parent who is married to the petitioner and supports the adoption; (F) The father, putative father, or mother, of a minor if the minor is conceived as the result of the commission of rape or sexual battery by the father, putative father, or mother and the father, putative father, or mother is convicted of or pleads guilty to the commission of that offense. As used in this division, "rape" means a violation of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code or a similar law of another state and "sexual battery" means a violation of section 2907.03 of the Revised Code or a similar law of another state. (G) A legal guardian or guardian ad litem of a parent judicially declared incompetent in a separate court proceeding who has failed to respond in writing to a request for consent, for a period of thirty days, or who, after examination of the written reasons for withholding consent, is found by the court to be withholding consent unreasonably; (H) Any legal guardian or lawful custodian of the person to be adopted, other than a parent, who has failed to respond in writing to a request for consent, for a period of thirty days, or who, after examination of the written reasons for withholding consent, is found by the court to be withholding consent unreasonably; (I) The spouse of the person to be adopted, if the failure of the spouse to consent to the adoption is found by the court to be by reason of prolonged unexplained absence, unavailability, incapacity, or circumstances that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult to obtain the consent or refusal of the spouse; (J) Any parent, legal guardian, or other lawful custodian in a foreign country, if the person to be adopted has been released for adoption pursuant to the laws of the country in which the person resides and the release of such person is in a form that satisfies the requirements of the immigration and naturalization service of the United States department of justice for purposes of immigration to the United States pursuant to section 101(b)(1)(F) of the "Immigration and Nationality Act," 75 Stat. 650 (1961), 8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)(F), as amended or reenacted. (K) Except as provided in divisions (G) and (H) of this section, a juvenile court, agency, or person given notice of the petition pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 3107.11 of the Revised Code that fails to file an objection to the petition within fourteen days after proof is filed pursuant to division (B) of that section that the notice was given; (L) Any guardian, custodian, or other party who has temporary custody of the child.
The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.
|
Section 3107.071 | Effect of voluntary permanent custody surrender agreement.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
If a parent enters into a voluntary permanent custody surrender agreement under division (B)(2) of section 5103.15 of the Revised Code on or after September 18, 1996, the parent's consent to the adoption of the child who is the subject of the agreement is required unless all of the following requirements are met: (A) In the case of a parent whose child, if adopted, will be an adopted person as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code: (1) The parent does all of the following: (a) Signs the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(a) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code; (b) Checks either the "yes" or "no" space provided on the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code and signs that component; (c) If the parent is the mother, completes and signs the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(c) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code. (2) The agency provides the parent the opportunity to sign, if the parent chooses to do so, the components of the form prescribed under divisions (A)(1)(d), (e), and (f) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code; (3) The agency files with the juvenile and probate courts the form prescribed under division (A)(1) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code signed by the parent, provides a copy of the form signed by the parent to the parent, and keeps a copy of the form signed by the parent in the agency's records. The court shall keep a copy of the form signed by the parent in the court records. (B) In the case of a parent whose child, if adopted, will be an adopted person as defined in section 3107.38 of the Revised Code: (1) The parent does both of the following: (a) Signs the component of the form prescribed under division (B)(1)(a) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code; (b) If the parent is the mother, completes and signs the component of the form prescribed under division (B)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code. (2) The agency provides the parent the opportunity to sign, if the parent chooses to do so, the components of the form prescribed under divisions (B)(1)(c), (d), and (e) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code at the time the parent enters into the agreement with the agency; (3) The agency files the form signed by the parent with the juvenile and probate courts, provides a copy of the form signed by the parent to the parent, and keeps a copy of the form signed by the parent in the agency's records. The court shall keep a copy of the form signed by the parent in the court records.
|
Section 3107.08 | Executing consent.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) The required consent to adoption may be executed at any time after seventy-two hours after the birth of a minor, and shall be executed in the following manner: (1) If by the person to be adopted, in the presence of the court; (2) If by a parent of the person to be adopted, in accordance with section 3107.081 of the Revised Code; (3) If by an agency, by the executive head or other authorized representative, in the presence of a person authorized to take acknowledgments; (4) If by any other person, in the presence of the court or in the presence of a person authorized to take acknowledgments; (5) If by a juvenile court, by appropriate order. (B) A consent which does not name or otherwise identify the prospective adoptive parent is valid if it contains a statement by the person giving consent that it was voluntarily executed irrespective of disclosure of the name or other identification of the prospective adoptive parent.
Last updated February 16, 2022 at 11:38 AM
|
Section 3107.081 | Conditions for accepting parent's consent.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in divisions (B), (E), and (F) of this section, a parent of a minor, who will be, if adopted, an adopted person as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code, shall do all of the following as a condition of a court accepting the parent's consent to the minor's adoption: (1) Appear personally before the court; (2) Sign the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(a) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code; (3) Check either the "yes" or "no" space provided on the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code and sign that component; (4) If the parent is the mother, complete and sign the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(c) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code. At the time the parent signs the components of the form prescribed under divisions (A)(1)(a), (b), and (c) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code, the parent may sign, if the parent chooses to do so, the components of the form prescribed under divisions (A)(1)(d), (e), and (f) of that section. After the parent signs the components required to be signed and any discretionary components the parent chooses to sign, the parent, or the attorney arranging the adoption, shall file the form and parent's consent with the court. The court or attorney shall give the parent a copy of the form and consent. The court and attorney shall keep a copy of the form and consent in the court and attorney's records of the adoption. The court shall question the parent to determine that the parent understands the adoption process, the ramifications of consenting to the adoption, each component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code, and that the minor and adoptive parent may receive identifying information about the parent in accordance with section 3107.47 of the Revised Code unless the parent checks the "no" space provided on the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code or has a denial of release form filed with the department of health under section 3107.46 of the Revised Code. The court also shall question the parent to determine that the parent's consent to the adoption and any decisions the parent makes in filling out the form prescribed under division (A)(1) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code are made voluntarily. (B) The parents of a minor, who is less than six months of age and will be, if adopted, an adopted person as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code, may consent to the minor's adoption without personally appearing before a court if both parents do all of the following: (1) Execute a notarized statement of consent to the minor's adoption before the attorney arranging the adoption; (2) Sign the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(a) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code; (3) Check either the "yes" or "no" space provided on the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code and sign that component. At the time the parents sign the components of the form prescribed under divisions (A)(1)(a) and (b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code, the mother shall complete and sign the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(c) of that section and the attorney arranging the adoption shall provide the parents the opportunity to sign, if they choose to do so, the components of the form prescribed under divisions (A)(1)(d), (e), and (f) of that section. At the time the petition to adopt the minor is submitted to the court, the attorney shall file the parents' consents and forms with the court. The attorney shall give the parents a copy of the consents and forms. At the time the attorney files the consents and forms with the court, the attorney also shall file with the court all other documents the director of job and family services requires by rules adopted under division (D) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code to be filed with the court. The court and attorney shall keep a copy of the consents, forms, and documents in the court and attorney's records of the adoption. (C) Except as provided in divisions (D), (E), and (F) of this section, a parent of a minor, who will be, if adopted, an adopted person as defined in section 3107.38 of the Revised Code, shall do all of the following as a condition of a court accepting the parent's consent to the minor's adoption: (1) Appear personally before the court; (2) Sign the component of the form prescribed under division (B)(1)(a) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code; (3) If the parent is the mother, complete and sign the component of the form prescribed under division (B)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code. At the time the parent signs the components prescribed under divisions (B)(1)(a) and (b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code, the parent may sign, if the parent chooses to do so, the components of the form prescribed under divisions (B)(1)(c), (d), and (e) of that section. After the parent signs the components required to be signed and any discretionary components the parent chooses to sign, the parent, or the attorney arranging the adoption, shall file the form and parent's consent with the court. The court or attorney shall give the parent a copy of the form and consent. The court and attorney shall keep a copy of the form and consent in the court and attorney's records of the adoption. The court shall question the parent to determine that the parent understands the adoption process, the ramifications of consenting to the adoption, and each component of the form prescribed under division (B)(1) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code. The court also shall question the parent to determine that the parent's consent to the adoption and any decisions the parent makes in filling out the form are made voluntarily. (D) The parent of a minor who is less than six months of age and will be, if adopted, an adopted person as defined in section 3107.38 of the Revised Code may consent to the minor's adoption without personally appearing before a court if the parent does all of the following: (1) Executes a notarized statement of consent to the minor's adoption before the attorney arranging the adoption; (2) Signs the component of the form prescribed under division (B)(1)(a) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code; (3) If the parent is the mother, completes and signs the component of the form prescribed under division (B)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code. At the time the parent signs the components of the form prescribed under divisions (B)(1)(a) and (b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code, the attorney arranging the adoption shall provide the parent the opportunity to sign, if the parent chooses to do so, the components of the form prescribed under divisions (B)(1)(c), (d), and (e) of that section. At the time the petition to adopt the minor is submitted to the court, the attorney shall file the parent's consent and form with the court. The attorney shall give the parent a copy of the consent and form. At the time the attorney files the consent and form with the court, the attorney also shall file with the court all other documents the director of job and family services requires by rules adopted under division (D) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code to be filed with the court. The court and attorney shall keep a copy of the consent, form, and documents in the court and attorney's records of the adoption. (E) If a minor is to be adopted by a stepparent, the parent who is not married to the stepparent may consent to the minor's adoption without appearing personally before a court if the parent executes consent in the presence of a person authorized to take acknowledgments. The attorney arranging the adoption shall file the consent with the court and give the parent a copy of the consent. The court and attorney shall keep a copy of the consent in the court and attorney's records of the adoption. (F) If a parent of a minor to be adopted resides in another state, the parent may consent to the minor's adoption without appearing personally before a court if the parent executes consent in the presence of a person authorized to take acknowledgments. The attorney arranging the adoption shall file the consent with the court and give the parent a copy of the consent. The court and attorney shall keep a copy of the consent in the court and attorney's records of the adoption.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 10:57 AM
|
Section 3107.082 | Duties of assessor prior to execution of consent.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
Not less than seventy-two hours prior to the date a parent executes consent to the adoption of the parent's child under section 3107.081 of the Revised Code, an assessor shall meet in person with the parent and do both of the following unless the child is to be adopted by a stepparent or the parent resides in another state: (A) Provide the parent with a copy of the written materials about adoption prepared under division (C) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code, discuss with the parent the adoption process and ramifications of a parent consenting to a child's adoption, and provide the parent the opportunity to review the materials and to ask questions about the materials, discussion, and related matters; (B) If the child, if adopted, will be an adopted person as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code, inform the parent that the child and the adoptive parent may receive, in accordance with section 3107.47 of the Revised Code, identifying information about the parent that is contained in the child's adoption file maintained by the department of health unless the parent checks the "no" space provided on the component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code or signs and has filed with the department a denial of release form prescribed under section 3107.50 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.083 | Contents of form signed by parent.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
The director of job and family services shall do all of the following: (A)(1) For a parent of a child who, if adopted, will be an adopted person as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code, prescribe a form that has the following six components: (a) A component the parent signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to indicate the requirements of section 3107.082 or 5103.152 of the Revised Code have been met. The component shall be as follows: "Statement Concerning Ohio Law and Adoption Materials By signing this component of this form, I acknowledge that it has been explained to me, and I understand, that, if I check the space on the next component of this form that indicates that I authorize the release, the adoption file maintained by the Ohio Department of Health, which contains identifying information about me at the time of my child's birth, will be released, on request, to the adoptive parent when the adoptee is at least age eighteen but younger than age twenty-one and to the adoptee when he or she is age twenty-one or older. It has also been explained to me, and I understand, that I may prohibit the release of identifying information about me contained in the adoption file by checking the space on the next component of this form that indicates that I do not authorize the release of the identifying information. It has additionally been explained to me, and I understand, that I may change my mind regarding the decision I make on the next component of this form at any time and as many times as I desire by signing, dating, and having filed with the Ohio Department of Health a denial of release form or authorization of release form prescribed and provided by the Department of Health and providing the Department two items of identification. By signing this component of this form, I also acknowledge that I have been provided a copy of written materials about adoption prepared by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the adoption process and ramifications of consenting to adoption or entering into a voluntary permanent custody surrender agreement have been discussed with me, and I have been provided the opportunity to review the materials and ask questions about the materials and discussion. Signature of biological parent: ______________________ Signature of witness: ________________________ Date: ________________________" (b) A component the parent signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code regarding the parent's decision whether to allow identifying information about the parent contained in an adoption file maintained by the department of health to be released to the parent's child and adoptive parent pursuant to section 3107.47 of the Revised Code. The component shall be as follows: "Statement Regarding Release of Identifying Information The purpose of this component of this form is to allow a biological parent to decide whether to allow the Ohio Department of Health to provide an adoptee and adoptive parent identifying information about the adoptee's biological parent contained in an adoption file maintained by the Department. Please check one of the following spaces: _______ YES, I authorize the Ohio Department of Health to release identifying information about me, on request, to the adoptive parent when the adoptee is at least age eighteen but younger than age twenty-one and to the adoptee when he or she is age twenty-one or older. _______ NO, I do not authorize the release of identifying information about me to the adoptive parent or adoptee. Signature of biological parent: _________________________ Signature of witness: ___________________________ Date: ___________________________" (c) A component the parent, if the mother of the child, completes and signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to indicate, to the extent of the mother's knowledge, all of the following: (i) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was a recipient of the medicaid program or other public health insurance program and, if so, the dates her eligibility began and ended; (ii) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was covered by private health insurance and, if so, the dates the coverage began and ended, the name of the insurance provider, the type of coverage, and the identification number of the coverage; (iii) The name and location of the hospital, freestanding birthing center, or other place where the mother gave birth and, if different, received medical care immediately after giving birth; (iv) The expenses of the obstetrical and neonatal care; (v) Whether the mother has been informed that the adoptive parent or the agency or attorney arranging the adoption are to pay expenses involved in the adoption, including expenses the mother has paid and expects to receive or has received reimbursement, and, if so, what expenses are to be or have been paid and an estimate of the expenses; (vi) Any other information related to expenses the department determines appropriate to be included in this component. (d) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent materials, other than photographs of the parent, that the parent requests be given to the child or adoptive parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code. (e) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent photographs of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code. (f) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent the first name of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code. (2) State at the bottom of the form that the parent is to receive a copy of the form the parent signed. (3) Provide copies of the form prescribed under this division to probate and juvenile courts, public children services agencies, private child placing agencies, private noncustodial agencies, attorneys, and persons authorized to take acknowledgments. (B)(1) For a parent of a child who, if adopted, will become an adopted person as defined in section 3107.38 of the Revised Code, prescribe a form that has the following five components: (a) A component the parent signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to attest that the requirement of division (A) of section 3107.082 or division (A) of section 5103.152 of the Revised Code has been met; (b) A component the parent, if the mother of the child, completes and signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to indicate, to the extent of the mother's knowledge, all of the following: (i) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was a recipient of the medicaid program or other public health insurance program and, if so, the dates her eligibility began and ended; (ii) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was covered by private health insurance and, if so, the dates the coverage began and ended, the name of the insurance provider, the type of coverage, and the identification number of the coverage; (iii) The name and location of the hospital, freestanding birthing center, or other place where the mother gave birth and, if different, received medical care immediately after giving birth; (iv) The expenses of the obstetrical and neonatal care; (v) Whether the mother has been informed that the adoptive parent or the agency or attorney arranging the adoption are to pay expenses involved in the adoption, including expenses the mother has paid and expects to receive or has received reimbursement for, and, if so, what expenses are to be or have been paid and an estimate of the expenses; (vi) Any other information related to expenses the department determines appropriate to be included in the component. (c) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent materials, other than photographs of the parent, that the parent requests be given to the child or adoptive parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code. (d) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent photographs of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code. (e) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent the first name of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code. (2) State at the bottom of the form that the parent is to receive a copy of the form the parent signed. (3) Provide copies of the form prescribed under this division to probate and juvenile courts, public children services agencies, private child placing agencies, private noncustodial agencies, attorneys, and persons authorized to take acknowledgments. (C) Prepare the written materials about adoption that are required to be given to parents under division (A) of section 3107.082 and division (A) of section 5103.152 of the Revised Code. The materials shall provide information about the adoption process, including ramifications of a parent consenting to a child's adoption or entering into a voluntary permanent custody surrender agreement. The materials also shall include referral information for professional counseling and adoption support organizations. The director shall provide the materials to assessors. (D) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code specifying the documents that must be filed with a probate court under divisions (B) and (D) of section 3107.081 of the Revised Code and a juvenile court under divisions (C) and (E) of section 5103.151 of the Revised Code.
Last updated September 27, 2023 at 1:49 PM
|
Section 3107.084 | Withdrawing consent.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) A consent to adoption is irrevocable and cannot be withdrawn after the entry of an interlocutory order or after the entry of a final decree of adoption when no interlocutory order has been entered. The consent of a minor is not voidable by reason of the minor's age. (B) A consent to adoption may be withdrawn prior to the entry of an interlocutory order or prior to the entry of a final decree of adoption when no interlocutory order has been entered if the court finds after hearing that the withdrawal is in the best interest of the person to be adopted and the court by order authorizes the withdrawal of consent. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the petitioner, the person seeking the withdrawal of consent, and the agency placing the minor for adoption.
|
Section 3107.09 | Taking social and medical histories of biological parents.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) The department of job and family services shall prescribe and supply forms for the taking of social and medical histories of the biological parents of a minor available for adoption. (B) An assessor shall record the social and medical histories of the biological parents of a minor available for adoption, unless the minor is to be adopted by the minor's stepparent or grandparent. The assessor shall use the forms prescribed pursuant to division (A) of this section. The assessor shall not include on the forms identifying information about the biological parents or other ancestors of the minor. (C) A social history shall describe and identify the age; ethnic, racial, religious, marital, and physical characteristics; and educational, cultural, talent and hobby, and work experience background of the biological parents of the minor. A medical history shall identify major diseases, malformations, allergies, ear or eye defects, major conditions, and major health problems of the biological parents that are or may be congenital or familial. These histories may include other social and medical information relative to the biological parents and shall include social and medical information relative to the minor's other ancestors. The social and medical histories may be obtained through interviews with the biological parents or other persons and from any available records if a biological parent or any legal guardian of a biological parent consents to the release of information contained in a record. An assessor who considers it necessary may request that a biological parent undergo a medical examination. In obtaining social and medical histories of a biological parent, an assessor shall inform the biological parent, or a person other than a biological parent who provides information pursuant to this section, of the purpose and use of the histories and of the biological parent's or other person's right to correct or expand the histories at any time. (D) A biological parent, or another person who provided information in the preparation of the social and medical histories of the biological parents of a minor, may cause the histories to be corrected or expanded to include different or additional types of information. The biological parent or other person may cause the histories to be corrected or expanded at any time prior or subsequent to the adoption of the minor, including any time after the minor becomes an adult. A biological parent may cause the histories to be corrected or expanded even if the biological parent did not provide any information to the assessor at the time the histories were prepared. To cause the histories to be corrected or expanded, a biological parent or other person who provided information shall provide the information to be included or specify the information to be corrected to whichever of the following is appropriate under the circumstances: (1) Subject to divisions (D)(2) and (3) of this section, to the assessor who prepared the histories if the biological parent or other person knows the assessor; (2) Subject to division (D)(3) of this section, to the court involved in the adoption or, if that court is not known, to the department of health, if the biological parent or person does not know the assessor or finds that the assessor has ceased to perform assessments; (3) To the department of health, if the histories were originally completed by the biological parent pursuant to section 3107.393 of the Revised Code or, regardless of whether the histories were originally completed pursuant to this section or section 3107.091 or 3107.393 of the Revised Code, the biological parent seeks to correct or expand the histories at the same time the biological parent completes a contact preference form pursuant to section 3107.39 of the Revised Code or a biological parent's name redaction request form pursuant to section 3107.391 of the Revised Code. An assessor who receives information from a biological parent or other person pursuant to division (D)(1) of this section shall determine whether the information is of a type that divisions (B) and (C) of this section permit to be included in the histories. If the assessor determines the information is of a permissible type, the assessor shall cause the histories to be corrected or expanded to reflect the information. If, at the time the information is received, the histories have been filed with the court as required by division (E) of this section, the court shall cooperate with the assessor in correcting or expanding the histories. If the department of health or a court receives information from a biological parent or other person pursuant to division (D)(2) of this section or the department receives information from a biological parent pursuant to division (D)(3) of this section, it shall determine whether the information is of a type that divisions (B) and (C) of this section permit to be included in the histories. If a court determines the information is of a permissible type, the court shall cause the histories to be corrected or expanded to reflect the information. If the department of health so determines, the court involved shall cooperate with the department in the correcting or expanding of the histories. An assessor or the department of health shall notify a biological parent or other person in writing if the assessor or department determines that information the biological parent or other person provided or specified for inclusion in a history is not of a type that may be included in a history. On receipt of the notice, the biological parent or other person may petition the court involved in the adoption to make a finding as to whether the information is of a type that may be included in a history. On receipt of the petition, the court shall issue its finding without holding a hearing. If the court finds that the information is of a type that may be included in a history, it shall cause the history to be corrected or expanded to reflect the information. (E) An assessor shall file the social and medical histories of the biological parents prepared pursuant to divisions (B) and (C) of this section with the court with which a petition to adopt the biological parents' child is filed. The court promptly shall provide a copy of the social and medical histories filed with it to the petitioner. In a case involving the adoption of a minor by any person other than the minor's stepparent or grandparent, a court may refuse to issue an interlocutory order or final decree of adoption if the histories of the biological parents have not been so filed, unless the assessor certifies to the court that information needed to prepare the histories is unavailable for reasons beyond the assessor's control.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 12:21 PM
|
Section 3107.091 | Completing social and medical history forms subsequent to adoption.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) As used in this section, "biological parent" means a biological parent whose offspring, as a minor, was adopted and with respect to whom a medical and social history was not prepared prior or subsequent to the adoption. (B) A biological parent may request the department of job and family services to provide the biological parent with a copy of the social and medical history forms prescribed by the department pursuant to section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. The department, upon receipt of such a request, shall provide the forms to the biological parent, if the biological parent indicates that the forms are being requested so that the adoption records of the biological parent's offspring will include a social and medical history of the biological parent. In completing the forms, the biological parent may include information described in division (C) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code, but shall not include identifying information. When the biological parent has completed the forms to the extent the biological parent wishes to provide information, the biological parent shall return them to the department. The department shall review the completed forms, and shall determine whether the information included by the biological parent is of a type permissible under divisions (B) and (C) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code and, to the best of its ability, whether the information is accurate. If it determines that the forms contain accurate, permissible information, the department, after excluding from the forms any information the department deems impermissible, shall file them with the court that entered the interlocutory order or final decree of adoption in the adoption case. If the department needs assistance in determining that court, the department of health, upon request, shall assist it. The department of job and family services shall notify the biological parent in writing if it excludes from the biological parent's social and medical history forms information deemed impermissible. On receipt of the notice, the biological parent may petition the court with which the forms were filed to make a finding as to whether the information is permissible. On receipt of the petition, the court shall issue its finding without holding a hearing. If the court finds the information is permissible, it shall cause the information to be included on the forms. Upon receiving social and medical history forms pursuant to this section, a court shall cause them to be filed in the records pertaining to the adoption case. Social and medical history forms completed by a biological parent pursuant to this section may be corrected or expanded by the biological parent in accordance with division (D) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. Access to the histories shall be granted in accordance with division (D) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code. (C) This section does not preclude a biological parent from completing a social and medical history in accordance with section 3107.393 of the Revised Code instead of this section.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 12:22 PM
|
Section 3107.10 | Out-of-county adoption - notice to agency where parent resides.
Effective:
September 21, 2006
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 238 - 126th General Assembly
(A)(1) A public children services agency arranging an adoption in a county other than the county where that public children services agency is located, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency, or an attorney arranging an adoption, shall notify the public children services agency in the county in which the prospective adoptive parent resides within ten days after initiation of a home study required under section 3107.031 of the Revised Code. (2) After a public children services agency has received notification pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section, both the public children services agency arranging an adoption in a county other than the county where that public children services agency is located, private child placing agency, private noncustodial agency, or attorney arranging an adoption, and the public children services agency shall share relevant information regarding the prospective adoptive parent as soon as possible after initiation of the home study. (B) A public children services agency arranging an adoption in a county other than the county where that public children services agency is located, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency, or an attorney arranging an adoption, shall notify the public children services agency in the county in which the prospective adoptive parent resides of an impending adoptive placement not later than ten days prior to that placement. Notification shall include a description of the special needs and the age of the prospective adoptive child and the name of the prospective adoptive parent and number of children that will be residing in the prospective adoptive home when the prospective adoptive child is placed in the prospective adoptive home. (C) An agency or attorney sharing relevant information pursuant to this section is immune from liability in a civil action to recover damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly caused by any act or omission in connection with sharing relevant information unless the acts or omissions are with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner. (D) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code necessary for the implementation and execution of this section, including, but not limited to, a definition of "relevant information" for the purposes of division (A) of this section. (E) This section does not apply to an adoption by a stepparent whose spouse is a biological or adoptive parent of the minor to be adopted.
Last updated September 29, 2023 at 9:05 AM
|
Section 3107.101 | Post-placement prospective adoptive home visit.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 7 - 127th General Assembly
(A) Not later than seven days after a minor to be adopted is placed in a prospective adoptive home pursuant to section 5103.16 of the Revised Code, the assessor providing placement or post placement services in the prospective adoptive home shall begin monthly prospective adoptive home visits in that home, until the court issues a final decree of adoption. During the prospective adoptive home visits, the assessor shall evaluate the progression of the placement in the prospective adoptive home. The assessor shall include the evaluation in the prefinalization assessment required under section 3107.12 of the Revised Code. (B) During the prospective home visit required under division (A) of this section, the assessor shall make face-to-face contact with the prospective adoptive parent and the minor to be adopted. The assessor shall make contact, as prescribed by rule under division (C) of this section, with all other children or adults residing in the prospective adoptive home. (C) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code necessary for the implementation and execution of this section. (D) This section does not apply to an adoption by a stepparent whose spouse is a biological or adoptive parent of the minor to be adopted.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 12:25 PM
|
Section 3107.11 | Hearing - notice.
Effective:
September 30, 2021
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly
(A) After the filing of a petition to adopt an adult or a minor, the court shall fix a time and place for hearing the petition. The hearing may take place at any time more than thirty days after the date on which the minor is placed in the home of the petitioner. At least twenty days before the date of hearing, notice of the filing of the petition and of the time and place of hearing shall be given by the court to all of the following: (1) Any juvenile court, agency, or person whose consent to the adoption is required by this chapter but who has not consented; (2) A person whose consent is not required as provided by division (A), (G), (H), or (I) of section 3107.07 of the Revised Code and has not consented; (3) Any guardian, custodian, or other party who has temporary custody or permanent custody of the child. Notice shall not be given to a person whose consent is not required as provided by division (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), or (J) of section 3107.07, or section 3107.071, of the Revised Code. Second notice shall not be given to a juvenile court, agency, or person whose consent is not required as provided by division (K) of section 3107.07 of the Revised Code because the court, agency, or person failed to file an objection to the petition within fourteen days after proof was filed pursuant to division (B) of this section that a first notice was given to the court, agency, or person pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section. (B) Upon the filing of a petition for adoption that alleges that a parent has failed without justifiable cause to provide more than de minimis contact with the minor or to provide for the maintenance and support of the minor, the clerk of courts shall send a notice to that parent with the following language in boldface type and in all capital letters: "A FINAL DECREE OF ADOPTION, IF GRANTED, WILL RELIEVE YOU OF ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CONTACT THE MINOR, AND, EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO A SPOUSE OF THE ADOPTION PETITIONER AND RELATIVES OF THAT SPOUSE, TERMINATE ALL LEGAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE MINOR AND YOU AND THE MINOR'S OTHER RELATIVES, SO THAT THE MINOR THEREAFTER IS A STRANGER TO YOU AND THE MINOR'S FORMER RELATIVES FOR ALL PURPOSES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DIVISION (A)(1)(b) OF SECTION 3107.15 OF THE REVISED CODE. IF YOU WISH TO CONTEST THE ADOPTION, YOU MUST FILE AN OBJECTION TO THE PETITION WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS AFTER PROOF OF SERVICE OF NOTICE OF THE FILING OF THE PETITION AND OF THE TIME AND PLACE OF HEARING IS GIVEN TO YOU. IF YOU WISH TO CONTEST THE ADOPTION, YOU MUST ALSO APPEAR AT THE HEARING. A FINAL DECREE OF ADOPTION MAY BE ENTERED IF YOU FAIL TO FILE AN OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION PETITION OR APPEAR AT THE HEARING." (C) All notices required under this section shall be given as specified in the Rules of Civil Procedure. Proof of the giving of notice shall be filed with the court before the petition is heard.
Last updated August 11, 2021 at 12:19 PM
|
Section 3107.12 | Prefinalization assessment of minor and petitioner.
Effective:
September 21, 2006
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 238 - 126th General Assembly
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an assessor shall conduct a prefinalization assessment of a minor and petitioner before a court issues a final decree of adoption or finalizes an interlocutory order of adoption for the minor. On completion of the assessment, the assessor shall prepare a written report of the assessment and provide a copy of the report to the court before which the adoption petition is pending. The report of a prefinalization assessment shall include all of the following: (1) The adjustment of the minor and the petitioner to the adoptive placement; (2) The present and anticipated needs of the minor and the petitioner, as determined by a review of the minor's medical and social history, for adoption-related services, including assistance under Title IV-E of the "Social Security Act," 94 Stat. 501 (1980), 42 U.S.C.A. 670, as amended, or section 5153.163 of the Revised Code and counseling, case management services, crisis services, diagnostic services, and therapeutic counseling. (3) The physical, mental, and developmental condition of the minor; (4) If known, the minor's biological family background, including identifying information about the biological or other legal parents; (5) The reasons for the minor's placement with the petitioner, the petitioner's attitude toward the proposed adoption, and the circumstances under which the minor was placed in the home of the petitioner; (6) The attitude of the minor toward the proposed adoption, if the minor's age makes this feasible; (7) If the minor is an Indian child, as defined in 25 U.S.C.A. 1903(4), how the placement complies with the "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978," 92 Stat. 3069, 25 U.S.C.A. 1901, as amended; (8) If known, the minor's psychological background, including prior abuse of the child and behavioral problems of the child; (9) If applicable, the documents or forms required under sections 3107.032, 3107.10, and 3107.101 of the Revised Code. The assessor shall file the prefinalization report with the court not later than twenty days prior to the date scheduled for the final hearing on the adoption unless the court determines there is good cause for filing the report at a later date. The assessor shall provide a copy of the written report of the assessment to the petitioner with the identifying information about the biological or other legal parents redacted. (B) This section does not apply if the petitioner is the minor's stepparent, unless a court, after determining a prefinalization assessment is in the best interest of the minor, orders that an assessor conduct a prefinalization assessment. (C) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code defining "counseling," "case management services," "crisis services," "diagnostic services," and "therapeutic counseling" for the purpose of this section.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 12:28 PM
|
Section 3107.13 | Waiting period prior to finality.
Effective:
October 5, 2000
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 448 - 123rd General Assembly
(A) A final decree of adoption shall not be issued and an interlocutory order of adoption does not become final, until the person to be adopted has lived in the adoptive home for at least six months after placement by an agency, or for at least six months after the department of job and family services or the court has been informed of the placement of the person with the petitioner, and the department or court has had an opportunity to observe or investigate the adoptive home, or in the case of adoption by a stepparent, until at least six months after the filing of the petition, or until the child has lived in the home for at least six months. (B) In the case of a foster caregiver adopting a foster child or person adopting a child to whom the person is related, the court shall apply the amount of time the child lived in the foster caregiver's or relative's home prior to the date the foster caregiver or relative files the petition to adopt the child toward the six-month waiting period established by division (A) of this section.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 12:31 PM
|
Section 3107.14 | Presence of petitioner and adoptee at hearing - continuance - final decree or interlocutory order.
Effective:
October 17, 2019
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) The petitioner and the person sought to be adopted shall appear at the hearing on the petition, unless the presence of either is excused by the court for good cause shown. (B) The court may continue the hearing from time to time to permit further observation, investigation, or consideration of any facts or circumstances affecting the granting of the petition, and may examine the petitioners separate and apart from each other. (C) If, at the conclusion of the hearing, the court finds that the required consents have been obtained or excused and that the adoption is in the best interest of the person sought to be adopted as supported by the evidence, it may issue, subject to division (C)(1) of section 2151.86, section 3107.064, and division (E) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code, and any other limitations specified in this chapter, a final decree of adoption or an interlocutory order of adoption, which by its own terms automatically becomes a final decree of adoption on a date specified in the order, which, except as provided in division (B) of section 3107.13 of the Revised Code, shall not be less than six months or more than one year from the date the person to be adopted is placed in the petitioner's home, unless sooner vacated by the court for good cause shown. In determining whether the adoption is in the best interest of the person sought to be adopted, the court shall not consider the age of the petitioner if the petitioner is old enough to adopt as provided by section 3107.03 of the Revised Code. In an interlocutory order of adoption, the court shall provide for observation, investigation, and a further report on the adoptive home during the interlocutory period. (D) If the requirements for a decree under division (C) of this section have not been satisfied or the court vacates an interlocutory order of adoption, or if the court finds that a person sought to be adopted was placed in the home of the petitioner in violation of law, the court shall dismiss the petition and may determine the agency or person to have temporary or permanent custody of the person, which may include the agency or person that had custody prior to the filing of the petition or the petitioner, if the court finds it is in the best interest of the person as supported by the evidence, or if the person is a minor, the court may certify the case to the juvenile court of the county where the minor is then residing for appropriate action and disposition. (E) The issuance of a final decree or interlocutory order of adoption for an adult adoption under division (A)(4) of section 3107.02 of the Revised Code shall not disqualify that adult for services under section 2151.82 or 2151.83 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.141 | Redoing or supplementing of report or history.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
After an assessor files a home study report under section 3107.031, a social and medical history under section 3107.09, or a prefinalization assessment report under section 3107.12 of the Revised Code, or the department of job and family services or department of health files a social and medical history under section 3107.091 or 3107.393 of the Revised Code, a court may do either or both of the following if the court determines the report or history does not comply with the requirements governing the report or history or, in the case of a home study or prefinalization assessment report, does not enable the court to determine whether an adoption is in the best interest of the minor to be adopted: (A) Order the assessor or department to redo or supplement the report or history in a manner the court directs; (B) Appoint a different assessor to redo or supplement the report or history in a manner the court directs.
Last updated September 28, 2023 at 12:32 PM
|
Section 3107.15 | Effect of final decree or interlocutory order of adoption.
Effective:
September 30, 2021
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly
(A) A final decree of adoption and an interlocutory order of adoption that has become final as issued by a court of this state, or a decree issued by a jurisdiction outside this state as recognized pursuant to section 3107.18 of the Revised Code, shall have the following effects as to all matters within the jurisdiction or before a court of this state, whether issued before or after May 30, 1996: (1)(a) Except with respect to a spouse of the petitioner and relatives of the spouse, to relieve the biological or other legal parents of the adopted person of all parental rights and responsibilities, and to terminate all legal relationships between the adopted person and the adopted person's relatives, including the adopted person's biological or other legal parents, so that, except as provided under division (A)(1)(b) of this section, the adopted person thereafter is a stranger to the adopted person's former relatives for all purposes including inheritance and the interpretation or construction of documents, statutes, and instruments, whether executed before or after the adoption is decreed, which do not expressly include the person by name or by some designation not based on a parent and child or blood relationship; (b) The legal parents of an adopted person may be notified that a sibling of the adopted person has been placed into out-of-home care. For the purposes of this division, "sibling" means a former biological sibling, former legal sibling, or any person who would have been considered a sibling if not for a termination or other disruption of parental rights. (2) To create the relationship of parent and child between petitioner and the adopted person, as if the adopted person were a legitimate blood descendant of the petitioner, for all purposes including inheritance and applicability of statutes, documents, and instruments, whether executed before or after the adoption is decreed, and whether executed or created before or after May 30, 1996, which do not expressly exclude an adopted person from their operation or effect; (3) Notwithstanding division (A)(2) of this section, a person who is eighteen years of age or older at the time the person is adopted, and the adopted person's lineal descendants, are not included as recipients of gifts, devises, bequests, or other transfers of property, including transfers in trust made to a class of persons including, but not limited to, children, grandchildren, heirs, issue, lineal descendants, and next of kin, for purposes of inheritance and applicability of statutes, documents, and instruments, whether executed or created before or after May 30, 1996, unless the document or instrument expressly includes the adopted person by name or expressly states that it includes a person who is eighteen years of age or older at the time the person is adopted. (B) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, if a parent of a child dies without the relationship of parent and child having been previously terminated and a spouse of the living parent thereafter adopts the child, the child's rights from or through the deceased parent for all purposes, including inheritance and applicability or construction of documents, statutes, and instruments, are not restricted or curtailed by the adoption. (C) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, if the relationship of parent and child has not been terminated between a parent and that parent's child and a spouse of the other parent of the child adopts the child, a grandparent's or relative's right to companionship or visitation pursuant to section 3109.11 of the Revised Code is not restricted or curtailed by the adoption. (D) An interlocutory order of adoption, while it is in force, has the same legal effect as a final decree of adoption. If an interlocutory order of adoption is vacated, it shall be as though void from its issuance, and the rights, liabilities, and status of all affected persons that have not become vested are governed accordingly.
Last updated August 11, 2021 at 12:20 PM
|
Section 3107.16 | Appeals.
Effective:
March 23, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 250 - 130th General Assembly
(A) Appeals from the probate court are subject to the Rules of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code. Unless there is good cause for delay, appeals shall be heard on an expedited basis. (B) Subject to the disposition of an appeal, upon the expiration of six months after an adoption decree is issued, the decree cannot be questioned by any person, including the petitioner, in any manner or upon any ground, including fraud, misrepresentation, failure to give any required notice, or lack of jurisdiction of the parties or of the subject matter, unless, in the case of the adoption of a minor, the petitioner has not taken custody of the minor, or, in the case of the adoption of a minor by a stepparent, the adoption would not have been granted but for fraud perpetrated by the petitioner or the petitioner's spouse, or, in the case of the adoption of an adult, the adult had no knowledge of the decree within the six-month period.
|
Section 3107.161 | Determining best interest of child in contested adoption - burden of proof.
Effective:
November 6, 1996
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 292 - 121st General Assembly
(A) As used in this section, "the least detrimental available alternative" means the alternative that would have the least long-term negative impact on the child. (B) When a court makes a determination in a contested adoption concerning the best interest of a child, the court shall consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to, all of the following: (1) The least detrimental available alternative for safeguarding the child's growth and development; (2) The age and health of the child at the time the best interest determination is made and, if applicable, at the time the child was removed from the home; (3) The wishes of the child in any case in which the child's age and maturity makes this feasible; (4) The duration of the separation of the child from a parent; (5) Whether the child will be able to enter into a more stable and permanent family relationship, taking into account the conditions of the child's current placement, the likelihood of future placements, and the results of prior placements; (6) The likelihood of safe reunification with a parent within a reasonable period of time; (7) The importance of providing permanency, stability, and continuity of relationships for the child; (8) The child's interaction and interrelationship with the child's parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest; (9) The child's adjustment to the child's current home, school, and community; (10) The mental and physical health of all persons involved in the situation; (11) Whether any person involved in the situation has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or accused of any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being abused or neglected; whether the person, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated to be an abused or neglected child, has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that is the basis of the adjudication; whether the person has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or accused of a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the person's family or household; and whether the person has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or accused of any offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the person's family or household and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense. (C) A person who contests an adoption has the burden of providing the court material evidence needed to determine what is in the best interest of the child and must establish that the child's current placement is not the least detrimental available alternative.
|
Section 3107.17 | Closed hearing - confidentiality - records.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) All hearings held under sections 3107.01 to 3107.19 of the Revised Code shall be held in closed court without the admittance of any person other than essential officers of the court, the parties, the witnesses of the parties, counsel, persons who have not previously consented to an adoption but who are required to consent, and representatives of the agencies present to perform their official duties. (B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (D) of this section, sections 3107.38 and 3107.381, and sections 3107.60 to 3107.68 of the Revised Code, no person or governmental entity shall knowingly reveal any information contained in a paper, book, or record pertaining to an adoption that is part of the permanent record of a court or maintained by the department of job and family services, an agency, or attorney without the consent of a court. (2) An agency or attorney may examine the agency's or attorney's own papers, books, and records pertaining to an adoption without a court's consent for official administrative purposes. The department of job and family services may examine its own papers, books, and records pertaining to an adoption, or such papers, books, and records of an agency, without a court's consent for official administrative, certification, and eligibility determination purposes. (C) The petition, the interlocutory order, the final decree of adoption, and other adoption proceedings shall be recorded in a book kept for such purposes and shall be separately indexed. The book shall be a part of the records of the court, and all consents, affidavits, and other papers shall be properly filed. (D) All forms that pertain to the social or medical histories of the biological parents of an adopted person and that were completed pursuant to section 3107.09, 3107.091, or 3107.393 of the Revised Code shall be filed only in the permanent record kept by the court. During the minority of the adopted person, only the adoptive parents of the person may inspect the forms. When an adopted person reaches majority, only the adopted person may inspect the forms. Under the circumstances described in this division, an adopted person or the adoptive parents are entitled to inspect the forms upon requesting the clerk of the court to produce them. (E)(1) The department of job and family services shall prescribe a form that permits any person who is authorized by division (D) of this section to inspect forms that pertain to the social or medical histories of the biological parents and that were completed pursuant to section 3107.09, 3107.091, or 3107.393 of the Revised Code to request notice if any correction or expansion of either such history, made pursuant to division (D) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code, is made a part of the permanent record kept by the court. The form shall be designed to facilitate the provision of the information and statements described in division (E)(3) of this section. The department shall provide copies of the form to each court. A court shall provide a copy of the request form to each adoptive parent when a final decree of adoption is entered and shall explain to each adoptive parent at that time that an adoptive parent who completes and files the form will be notified of any correction or expansion of either the social or medical history of the biological parents of the adopted person made during the minority of the adopted person that is made a part of the permanent record kept by the court, and that, during the adopted person's minority, the adopted person may inspect the forms that pertain to those histories. Upon request, the court also shall provide a copy of the request form to any adoptive parent during the minority of the adopted person and to an adopted person who has reached the age of majority. (2) Any person who is authorized to inspect forms pursuant to division (D) of this section who wishes to be notified of corrections or expansions pursuant to division (D) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code that are made a part of the permanent record kept by the court shall file with the court, on a copy of the form prescribed by the department of job and family services pursuant to division (E)(1) of this section, a request for such notification that contains the information and statements required by division (E)(3) of this section. A request may be filed at any time if the person who files the request is authorized at that time to inspect forms that pertain to the social or medical histories. (3) A request for notification as described in division (E)(2) of this section shall contain all of the following information: (a) The adopted person's name and mailing address at that time; (b) The name of each adoptive parent, and if the adoptive person is a minor at the time of the filing of the request, the mailing address of each adoptive parent at that time; (c) The adopted person's date of birth; (d) The date of entry of the final decree of adoption; (e) A statement requesting the court to notify the person who files the request, at the address provided in the request, if any correction or expansion of either the social or medical history of the biological parents is made a part of the permanent record kept by the court; (f) A statement that the person who files the request is authorized, at the time of the filing, to inspect the forms that pertain to the social and medical histories of the biological parents; (g) The signature of the person who files the request. (4) Upon the filing of a request for notification in accordance with division (E)(2) of this section, the clerk of the court in which it is filed immediately shall insert the request in the permanent record of the case. A person who has filed the request and who wishes to update it with respect to a new mailing address may inform the court in writing of the new address. Upon its receipt, the court promptly shall insert the new address into the permanent record by attaching it to the request. Thereafter, any notification described in this division shall be sent to the new address. (5) Whenever a social or medical history of a biological parent is corrected or expanded and the correction or expansion is made a part of the permanent record kept by the court, the court shall ascertain whether a request for notification has been filed in accordance with division (E)(2) of this section. If such a request has been filed, the court shall determine whether, at that time, the person who filed the request is authorized, under division (D) of this section, to inspect the forms that pertain to the social or medical history of the biological parents. If the court determines that the person who filed the request is so authorized, it immediately shall notify the person that the social or medical history has been corrected or expanded, that it has been made a part of the permanent record kept by the court, and that the forms that pertain to the records may be inspected in accordance with division (D) of this section.
Last updated September 29, 2023 at 9:21 AM
|
Section 3107.171 | Disclosure of court that entered order or decree.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) As used in this section, "adoption file" means a file maintained by the department of health under sections 3107.12 to 3107.124 of the Revised Code. (B) An adopted person may request that the department of health disclose to the adopted person which court entered the interlocutory order or final decree of adoption regarding the adopted person if the adopted person seeks to do either or both of the following: (1) Inspect, pursuant to division (D) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code, a social and medical history form of a biological parent of the adopted person; (2) Submit, pursuant to division (E) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code, a request for notification of a correction or expansion of a social and medical history of a biological parent of the adopted person. (C) On receipt of a request made under division (B) of this section and if the adopted person is entitled to inspect the biological parent's social and medical history form and submit the request for notification of a correction or expansion of the biological parent's social and medical history, the department shall inspect the adoption file to determine which court entered the interlocutory order or final decree of adoption. If the department is able to determine from the adoption file which court entered the interlocutory order or final decree of adoption, the department shall disclose the court to the adopted person.
|
Section 3107.18 | Foreign decrees.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) Except when giving effect to such a decree would violate the public policy of this state, a court decree terminating the relationship of parent and child, or establishing the relationship by adoption, issued pursuant to due process of law by a court of any jurisdiction outside this state, whether within or outside the United States, shall be recognized in this state, and the rights and obligations of the parties as to all matters within the jurisdiction of this state, including, without limitation, those matters specified in section 3107.15 of the Revised Code, shall be determined as though the decree were issued by a court of this state. A decree or certificate of adoption that is issued under the laws of a foreign country and that is verified and approved by the immigration and naturalization service of the United States shall be recognized in this state. Nothing in this section prohibits a court from issuing a final decree of adoption or interlocutory order of adoption pursuant to section 3107.14 of the Revised Code for a person the petitioner has adopted pursuant to a decree or certificate of adoption recognized in this state that was issued outside the United States. (B) If a child born in a foreign country is placed with adoptive parents or an adoptive parent in this state for the purpose of adoption and if the adoption previously has been finalized in the country of the child's birth, the adoptive parent or parents may bring a petition in the probate court in their county of residence requesting that the court issue a final decree of adoption or an interlocutory order of adoption pursuant to section 3107.14 of the Revised Code. In a proceeding on the petition, proof of finalization of the adoption outside the United States is prima-facie evidence of the consent of the parties who are required to give consent even if the foreign decree or certificate of adoption was issued with respect to only one of two adoptive parents who seek to adopt the child in this state. (C) At the request of a person who has adopted a person pursuant to a decree or certificate of adoption recognized in this state that was issued outside the United States, the court of the county in which the person making the request resides shall order the department of health to issue a foreign birth record for the adopted person under section 3705.122 of the Revised Code. The court may specify a change of name for the child and, if a physician has recommended a revision of the birth date, a revised birth date. The court shall send to the department with its order a copy of the foreign adoption decree or certificate of adoption and, if the foreign decree or certificate of adoption is not in English, a translation certified as to its accuracy by the translator and provided by the person who requested the order.
|
Section 3107.19 | Forwarding records to department of health and birth state's vital statistics office.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
If the adopted person was born in this state or outside the United States, the court shall forward all of the following to the department of health within thirty days after an adoption decree becomes final: (A) A copy of the adopted person's certificate of adoption; (B) The form prescribed under division (A)(1) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code, if a parent filled out and signed the form pursuant to section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code; (C) A statement of whether the adopted person is an adopted person as defined in section 3107.38 or 3107.45 of the Revised Code. If the adopted person was born in another state of the United States, the court shall forward a copy of the adopted person's certificate of adoption to that state's vital statistics office within thirty days after an adoption decree becomes final.
|
Section 3107.38 | Right of adopted persons or lineal descendants.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) As used in sections 3107.38 to 3107.394 of the Revised Code: (1) "Adopted person" means a person who was adopted but is not an adopted person as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code. (2) "Adoption file" means a file maintained by the department of health under sections 3705.12 to 3705.124 of the Revised Code. (3) "Biological parent" means a parent, by birth, of a person who is, or is to become, an adopted person. (4) "Biological parent's name redaction request form" means the form prescribed under section 3107.391 of the Revised Code. (5) "Biological sibling" means a sibling, by birth, of a person who is, or is to become, an adopted person. (6) "Contact preference form" means the form prescribed under section 3107.39 of the Revised Code. (7) "File of releases" means the filing system for releases that former section 3107.40 of the Revised Code, as repealed by Sub. S.B. 23 of the 130th general assembly, required the department of health to maintain. (8) "Items of identification" include a motor vehicle driver's or commercial driver's license, an identification card issued under sections 4507.50 to 4507.52 of the Revised Code, a marriage application, a social security card, a credit card, a military identification card, or an employee identification card. (9) "Lineal descendant of an adopted person" means a person who by reason of blood or adoption is a lineal descendant of an adopted person. (10) "Offspring" means a child, by birth, of a person. (11) "Release" means both of the following: (a) A release filed by a biological parent or biological sibling pursuant to former section 3107.40 of the Revised Code, as repealed by Sub. S.B. 23 of the 130th general assembly, that authorized the release of identifying information to the biological parent's offspring or the release of specified information to the biological sibling's adopted sibling pursuant to former section 3107.41 of the Revised Code, as repealed by Sub. S.B. 23 of the 130th general assembly; (b) A withdrawal of release filed by a biological parent or biological sibling pursuant to former section 3107.40 of the Revised Code, as repealed by Sub. S.B. 23 of the 130th general assembly. (B) Subject to division (C) of this section, an adopted person or lineal descendant of an adopted person may submit a written request to the department of health for the department to provide the adopted person or lineal descendant of an adopted person with a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file. The request shall provide the requester's address and notarized signature and be accompanied by two items of identification of the requester. If the requester is a lineal descendant of an adopted person, the request shall also provide notarized documentation evidencing the requester's relationship to the adopted person. On receipt of a request and payment of the fee required by section 3705.241 of the Revised Code, the department shall mail to the requester, at the address provided in the request, a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file if the department has an adoption file, including all releases transferred to the adoption file pursuant to section 3107.381 of the Revised Code, for the adopted person. If the adoption file includes a biological parent's name redaction request form from a biological parent, the department shall redact the biological parent's name from the copy of the contents of the adoption file that is mailed to the requester. If the department removes the biological parent's name redaction request form from the adoption file pursuant to division (D) of section 3107.391 of the Revised Code after the department mails the copy of the contents of the adoption file to the requester, the department shall mail to the requester another copy of the contents with the biological parent's name included. (C) An adopted person or lineal descendant of an adopted person may not submit a request under this section until the adopted person or lineal descendant is at least eighteen years of age.
|
Section 3107.381 | Transfer of releases.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
If the file of releases contains one or more releases that pertain to an adopted person and the department of health has an adoption file for the adopted person, the department shall transfer all of the releases pertaining to the adopted person, including releases for which withdrawals of releases were filed, to the adopted person's adoption file. An adopted person or lineal descendant of an adopted person who obtains the contents of the adopted person's adoption file pursuant to section 3107.38 of the Revised Code may use the releases, along with any contact preference forms placed in the adoption file pursuant to section 3107.39 of the Revised Code, in determining whether and how to contact a biological parent or biological sibling. Releases are advisory only and therefore unenforceable.
|
Section 3107.39 | Contact preference form for biological parents.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) The department of job and family services shall prescribe a contact preference form for biological parents. The form shall include all of the following: (1) A component in which a biological parent is to indicate one of the following regarding a person who receives, under section 3107.38 of the Revised Code, a copy of the contents of the adoption file of the parent's offspring: (a) That the biological parent welcomes the person to contact the parent directly; (b) That the biological parent prefers that the person contact the parent through an intermediary who the parent specifies on the form; (c) That the biological parent prefers that the person not contact the parent directly or through an intermediary. (2) Provisions necessary for the department of health to be able to identify the adoption file of the adopted person to whom the form pertains; (3) The following notices: (a) If a social and medical history for the biological parent was not previously prepared or such a history was prepared but should be corrected or expanded, that the biological parent is encouraged to do the following as appropriate: (i) Complete a social and medical history form in accordance with section 3107.091 or 3107.393 of the Revised Code; (ii) Correct or expand the biological parent's social and medical history in accordance with division (D) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. (b) That a biological parent's preference regarding contact as indicated on a completed contact preference form is advisory only and therefore unenforceable; (c) That the biological parent may change the parent's indicated preference regarding contact by filing a new contact preference form with the department of health. (4) A space in which the biological parent indicates whether one or more of the following apply: (a) The biological parent knows that a social and medical history was prepared for the biological parent pursuant to section 3107.09 of the Revised Code; (b) The biological parent completed a social and medical history form in accordance with section 3107.091 or 3107.393 of the Revised Code; (c) The biological parent corrected or expanded the biological parent's social and medical history in accordance with division (D) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. (5) A notice of both of the following: (a) That an adopted person may do either or both of the following: (i) Inspect, pursuant to division (D) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code, a social and medical history form of a biological parent of the adopted person maintained by the court that entered the interlocutory order or final decree of adoption regarding the adopted person; (ii) Submit to that court, pursuant to division (E) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code, a request for notification of a correction or expansion of a social and medical history of a biological parent of the adopted person. (b) That an adopted person who does not know which court entered the interlocutory order or final decree of adoption regarding the adopted person may seek assistance from the department of health in accordance with section 3107.171 of the Revised Code. (B) The department of job and family services shall make the contact preference form prescribed under this section available to the department of health. (C) The department of health shall make a contact preference form available to a biological parent on request. The department of health may accept a completed contact preference form from a biological parent only if the parent provides it two items of identification of the parent. If the department of health determines that it may accept a completed contact preference form, it shall accept the form. As soon as the department identifies the adoption file of the adopted person to whom the form pertains, it shall place the form in that file. If there is a previously completed contact preference form from the biological parent in the adopted person's adoption file, the department of health shall replace the parent's older form with the parent's new form. (D) Subject to division (C) of this section, a biological parent may file a completed contact preference form with the department of health to change the parent's indicated preference regarding contact as many times as the parent wishes.
Last updated May 2, 2024 at 5:45 PM
|
Section 3107.391 | Biological parent's name redaction request form.
Effective:
March 20, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) The department of job and family services shall prescribe a biological parent's name redaction request form. The form shall include all of the following: (1) Information about the procedures and requirements for a biological parent to do either of the following: (a) Have the form placed in the adoption file of the biological parent's offspring so that the biological parent's name is redacted from a copy of the contents of the adoption file that a person receives under section 3107.38 of the Revised Code; (b) Have the form removed from the adoption file if the biological parent later decides to permit the biological parent's name to be included in a copy of the contents of the adoption file that a person receives under section 3107.38 of the Revised Code. (2) Provisions necessary for the department of health to be able to identify the adoption file of the adopted person to whom the form pertains; (3) A place for the biological parent to attest that the biological parent is the biological parent of the adopted person to whom the form pertains. (B) The department of job and family services shall make the biological parent's name redaction request form available to the department of health. (C)(1) Until one year after the effective date of this section, the department of health shall make a biological parent's name redaction request form available to a biological parent on request. The department may accept a completed biological parent's name redaction request form only if all of the following apply: (a) The form is submitted to the department not later than one year after the effective date of this section. (b) The form has been notarized. (c) The biological parent provides the department two items of identification of the biological parent. (d) If a social and medical history for the biological parent was not previously prepared or such a history was prepared but should be corrected or expanded, the biological parent does the following as appropriate: (i) Completes a social and medical history form in accordance with section 3107.091 or 3107.393 of the Revised Code; (ii) Corrects or expands the biological parent's social and medical history in accordance with division (D) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. (e) The department is satisfied that the form has been substantially completed. (2) If the department determines that it may accept the biological parent's name redaction request form, it shall accept the form. As soon as the department identifies the adoption file of the adopted person to whom the form pertains, it shall place the form in that file. (D)(1) A biological parent who has a biological parent's name redaction request form accepted under division (C) of this section may request at any time that the department remove the form from the adoption file of the adopted person to whom the form pertains. The department shall remove the form from the adoption file if the biological parent provides the department all of the following: (a) Two items of identification of the biological parent; (b) Information the department needs to be able to identify the adoption file of the adopted person to whom the form pertains; (c) A notarized attestation that the biological parent is the biological parent of the adopted person to whom the form pertains. (2) When the department removes a biological parent's name redaction request form from an adoption file under division (D)(1) of this section, the department shall destroy the form.
|
Section 3107.392 | Information on web site.
Effective:
March 20, 2014
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
The department of health shall include on its web site information about biological parent's name redaction request forms. All of the following information shall be provided: (A) The purpose of the form; (B) The procedures to be followed and requirements to be met for the department to accept the form; (C) The date when biological parents may begin to file the form with the department; (D) The date when the form may no longer be filed with the department; (E) The procedures to be followed and requirements to be met for having the form removed from an adopted person's adoption file; (F) Any other information the department considers necessary.
|
Section 3107.393 | Attachment of social and medical history form to other forms.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
The department of health shall attach a social and medical history form prescribed under section 3107.09 of the Revised Code to each contact preference form and biological parent's name redaction request form it makes available to a biological parent pursuant to section 3107.39 or 3107.391 of the Revised Code. A biological parent for whom such a form was not completed in accordance with section 3107.09 of the Revised Code may complete the form. In completing the form, the biological parent may include information described in division (C) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. The biological parent shall return the form to the department after completing it to the extent that the biological parent chooses to provide information. Access to a social and medical history form completed under this section shall be granted in accordance with division (D) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code. A biological parent who completes a social and medical history form under this section may correct or expand information included on the form in accordance with division (D) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. This section does not preclude a biological parent from completing a social and medical history in accordance with section 3107.091 of the Revised Code instead of this section.
|
Section 3107.394 | System for contacting biological parents regarding medical history.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) The department of health shall establish a system by which an adopted person or lineal descendant of an adopted person may request that the department mail to the adopted person's biological parent a question that the adopted person or lineal descendant has about the biological parent's medical history if both of the following apply: (1) The adopted person or lineal descendant received a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file under section 3107.38 of the Revised Code with the biological parent's name redacted. (2) The adopted person's adoption file continues to contain a biological parent's name redaction request form for the biological parent at the time the adopted person or lineal descendant makes the request to the department. (B) The department shall mail to a biological parent a question it receives from an adopted person or lineal descendant of an adopted person under division (A) of this section if all of the following apply: (1) The adopted person or lineal descendant provides the department information needed for the department to find the adopted person's adoption file. (2) The department has the biological parent's mailing address. (3) The adopted person or lineal descendant complies with all of the department's requirements for accepting the question. (C) A biological parent who receives a question under division (B) of this section may provide an answer to the department. If the department receives the biological parent's answer, it shall forward the answer to the adopted person or lineal descendant who asked the question.
|
Section 3107.45 | Access to adoption records additional definitions.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
As used in sections 3107.45 to 3107.53 of the Revised Code: (A) "Adopted person" means a person who, as a minor, was adopted and who, on or after September 18, 1996, became available or potentially available for adoption. For the purpose of this division, a person was available or potentially available for adoption on or after September 18, 1996, if, on or after that date, either of the following occurred: (1) At least one of the person's birth parents executed consent to the person's adoption. (2) A probate court entered a finding that the consent of at least one of the person's birth parents to the person's adoption was not needed as determined pursuant to section 3107.07 of the Revised Code. (B) "Adoption file" means the file maintained by the department of health under sections 3705.12 to 3705.124 of the Revised Code. (C) "Adoptive parent" means a person who adopted an adopted person. (D) "Authorization of release form" means the form prescribed under division (A)(2) of section 3107.50 of the Revised Code. (E) "Birth parent" means the biological parent of an adopted person. (F) "Birth sibling" means a biological sibling of an adopted person. (G) "Denial of release form" means either of the following: (1) The component of the form prescribed under division (A)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 if the birth parent checked the "no" space provided on that component. (2) The form prescribed under division (A)(1) of section 3107.50 of the Revised Code. (H) "Effective denial of release form" means a denial of release form that has not been rescinded by an authorization of release form pursuant to division (B) of section 3107.46 of the Revised Code. (I) "Final decree of adoption" includes an interlocutory order of adoption that has become final. (J) "Identifying information" has the same meaning as in section 3107.01 of the Revised Code. (K) "Items of identification" include a motor vehicle driver's or commercial driver's license, an identification card issued under sections 4507.50 to 4507.52 of the Revised Code, a marriage application, a social security card, a credit card, a military identification card, or an employee identification card.
|
Section 3107.46 | Birth parent may file denial of release.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) A birth parent who did not check, pursuant to section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code, the "no" space provided on the component of the form prescribed pursuant to division (A)(1)(b) of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code may sign, date, and have filed with the department of health a denial of release form prescribed under section 3107.50 of the Revised Code. A birth parent who signs an authorization of release form under division (B) of this section may rescind that form by signing, dating, and having filed with the department of health a denial of release form prescribed under section 3107.50 of the Revised Code. If, at the time of submitting the denial of release form, the birth parent provides the department two items of identification, the department shall file the form in the adoption file of the adopted person indicated on the form. (B) If an adoption file contains a birth parent's denial of release form, the birth parent may rescind that form by signing, dating, and having filed with the department of health an authorization of release form. If, at the time of submitting the authorization of release form, the birth parent provides the department two items of identification, the department shall file the form in the adoption file of the adopted person indicated on the form. (C) After a birth parent submits a denial of release form or an authorization of release form under this section, the department of health shall provide the birth parent a copy of the form. (D) A birth parent may rescind an authorization of release form pursuant to division (A) of this section and rescind a denial of release form pursuant to division (B) of this section as many times as the birth parent wishes.
|
Section 3107.47 | Adult adoptee or adoptive parent may request copy of file.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) An adopted person age twenty-one or older, or an adoptive parent of an adopted person at least age eighteen but under age twenty-one, may submit a request to the department of health for a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file. If the adopted person includes with the request the adopted person's notarized signature and copies of two items of identification, or the adoptive parent includes with the request the adoptive parent's notarized signature and copies of two items of identification, the department shall do the following: (1) If there is not an effective denial of release form for either birth parent in the adopted person's adoption file and the fee required by section 3705.241 of the Revised Code is paid, provide the adopted person or adoptive parent a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file; (2) If there is an effective denial of release form for each birth parent in the adopted person's adoption file, refuse to provide the adopted person or adoptive parent a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file; (3) If there is an effective denial of release form for only one of the birth parents in the adopted person's adoption file and the fee required by section 3705.241 of the Revised Code is paid, provide the adopted person or adoptive parent a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file with all identifying information about the birth parent for whom there is an effective denial of release form deleted. (B) If an adopted person or adoptive parent is denied a copy of the contents of the adopted person's adoption file or receives a copy of the contents with identifying information about one of the birth parents deleted, the department of health shall inform the adopted person or adoptive parent that it will notify the adopted person or adoptive parent if the department subsequently receives an authorization of release form from one or both birth parents and the adopted person or adoptive parent submits to the department a request to be notified. An adopted person or adoptive parent who submits a request to be notified shall provide the department the adopted person's or adoptive parent's address and notify the department of any change of address. An adopted person or adoptive parent who subsequently decides not to be notified may submit a statement with the department for the department not to notify the adopted person or adoptive parent. The department shall notify the adopted person or adoptive parent if the department receives an authorization of release form from one or both birth parents and the adopted person or adoptive parent submitted a request to be notified and has not subsequently submitted a statement not to be notified. If the adopted person or adoptive parent contacts the department after being notified and indicates a desire to receive the information the department may provide, the department shall provide the adopted person or adoptive parent information in accordance with division (A) of this section.
|
Section 3107.48 | Adoptee's request for assistance to birth parent or sibling in finding name by adoption.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) An adopted person age twenty-one or older may submit a request with the department of health for the department to assist the adopted person's birth parent or birth sibling in finding the adopted person's name by adoption pursuant to section 3107.49 of the Revised Code. The adopted person shall submit the request on a form prescribed by the department under section 3107.51 of the Revised Code. If the adopted person provides all the information required by section 3107.51 of the Revised Code on the form, the department shall file it in the adopted person's adoption file and assist the birth parent or birth sibling in finding the adopted person's name by adoption unless the adopted person rescinds the request pursuant to division (B) of this section. (B) An adopted person who has requested under division (A) of this section that the department of health assist the adopted person's birth parent or birth sibling in finding the adopted person's name by adoption pursuant to section 3107.49 of the Revised Code may rescind the request and prohibit the department from assisting the birth parent or birth sibling in finding the adopted person's name by adoption pursuant to section 3107.49 of the Revised Code. The department shall remove the request from the adopted person's adoption file and destroy the request to rescind the request if the adopted person does both of the following: (1) Makes a written request to the department; (2) Provides to the department the adopted person's residence address, notarized signature, and two items of identification of the adopted person. (C) An adopted person may submit requests under division (A) of this section and rescind requests under division (B) of this section as many times as the adopted person wishes.
|
Section 3107.49 | Birth parent or adult sibling may request assistance.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) A birth parent, or birth sibling age twenty-one or older, may submit a request to the department of health for assistance in finding an adopted person's name by adoption. The department shall examine the adopted person's adoption file to determine the adopted person's name by adoption and provide the birth parent or birth sibling with the adopted person's name by adoption if all of the following are the case: (1) The adopted person's adoption file contains a request submitted by the adopted person under division (A) of section 3107.48 of the Revised Code that the department assist the birth parent or birth sibling in finding the adopted person's name by adoption; (2) The adopted person was the child of the birth parent or sibling of the birth sibling before the adoption; (3) In the case of a request by a birth parent, the court that issued the adopted person's final decree of adoption sends the department, in accordance with division (B) of this section, a notice stating that the birth parent's parental rights concerning the adopted person were not involuntarily terminated pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code; (4) The request is in writing and includes the birth parent's or birth sibling's residence address and notarized signature, one or more items of identification of the birth parent or birth sibling, and the adopted person's name and date of birth as it appears on the original birth record; (5) The department has an adoption file for the adopted person and is able to determine the adopted person's name by adoption from the file's contents. (B) If a birth parent requests assistance from the department of health in finding an adopted person's name by adoption, the department shall request the court that issued the adopted person's final decree of adoption to determine whether the birth parent's parental rights concerning the adopted person were involuntarily terminated pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code. The department shall provide to the court any information the department has and the court needs to make the determination. On request from the department, the court shall make the determination. After making the determination, the court shall send a notice to the department stating whether the birth parent's parental rights were so involuntarily terminated. (C) If a birth parent or birth sibling does not know all the information about the adopted person that the department needs to be able to find the adopted person's adoption file, the department shall, if it is known which court issued the adopted person's final decree of adoption, ask the court to find the information about the adopted person from its records. The department shall provide to the court any information the department receives from the birth parent or birth sibling that the court needs to find the information. On the department's request, the court shall provide to the department any information the court has that will aid the department in finding the adopted person's adoption file. (D) If a birth parent or birth sibling is denied assistance in finding an adopted person's name by adoption because the adopted person's adoption file does not contain a request submitted by the adopted person under division (A) of section 3107.48 of the Revised Code, the department shall inform the birth parent or birth sibling that it will notify the birth parent or birth sibling if the adopted person subsequently submits a request under division (A) of section 3107.48 of the Revised Code and the birth parent or birth sibling submits to the department a request to be notified. A birth parent or birth sibling who submits a request to be notified shall provide the department the birth parent's or birth sibling's address and shall notify the department of any change of address. A birth parent or birth sibling who subsequently decides not to be notified may submit a statement with the department for the department not to notify the birth parent or birth sibling. The department shall notify the birth parent or birth sibling if the adopted person submits a request under division (A) of section 3107.48 of the Revised Code and the birth parent or birth sibling has submitted a request to be notified and not subsequently submitted a statement not to be notified.
|
Section 3107.50 | Forms for denial or authorization of release.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section, the department of health shall prescribe the following forms: (1) A denial of release form to be used by a birth parent under division (A) of section 3107.46 of the Revised Code. The form shall explain that the birth parent may rescind the denial of release at any time by signing, dating, and having filed with the department of health an authorization of release form pursuant to division (B) of section 3107.46 of the Revised Code. (2) An authorization of release form to be used by a birth parent under division (B) of section 3107.46 of the Revised Code. The form shall state that the birth parent may rescind the authorization of release at any time by signing, dating, and having filed with the department of health a denial of release form pursuant to division (A) of that section. (B) On request of a birth parent, the department shall provide a copy of a denial of release form or authorization of release form to the birth parent.
|
Section 3107.51 | Form for adoptee's request for assistance.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section, the department of health shall prescribe a form with which an adopted person may make a request under division (A) of section 3107.48 of the Revised Code. The form shall require all of the following information: (1) The residence address of the adopted person; (2) The adopted person's name and date of birth as it appears on the adopted person's new birth record; (3) The notarized signature of the adopted person; (4) Any other information considered necessary by the department. (B) The form shall include instructions that explain how it is to be completed and filed with the department. The department shall include on the form information that advises the adopted person that the adopted person may, in accordance with division (B) of section 3107.48 of the Revised Code, rescind the request at any time, and shall include instructions on how to do so. (C) On request of an adopted person, the department shall provide the adopted person with a copy of the form.
|
Section 3107.52 | Access to records.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) The department of health's records pertaining to proceedings under sections 3107.45 to 3107.53 of the Revised Code are not public records subject to inspection or copying under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. (B) No person who is the subject of personal information contained in a record listed in division (A) of this section may inspect or copy all or part of any such record except pursuant to section 3107.47 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.53 | Immunity.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
No officer or employee of the department of health who releases any information contained in an adopted person's adoption file or provides a copy of the contents of an adopted person's adoption file to a person who requests the copy pursuant to section 3107.47 or 3107.49 of the Revised Code is liable in damages in a civil action to any person for injury, death, or loss allegedly arising from the release to the person or is criminally liable for the release if the officer or employee releases the information or copy in accordance with section 3107.47 or 3107.49 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.60 | Open adoption definitions.
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 7 - 127th General Assembly
As used in sections 3107.60 to 3107.68 of the Revised Code: (A) "Agency," "attorney," and "identifying information" have the same meanings as in section 3107.01 of the Revised Code. (B) "Nonidentifying information" means one of the following: (1) In relation to a birth parent, any information that is not identifying information, including all of the following: (a) A birth parent's age at the time the birth parent's child is adopted; (b) The medical and genetic history of the birth parents; (c) The age, sex, and medical and genetic history of an adopted person's birth sibling and extended family members; (d) A person's heritage and ethnic background, educational level, general physical appearance, religion, occupation, and cause of death; (e) Any information that may be included in a social and medical history as specified in divisions (B) and (C) of section 3107.09 of the Revised Code. (2) In relation to an adoptive parent, subject to a determination made pursuant to division (E) of section 3107.66 of the Revised Code, any information that is not identifying information, including all of the following: (a) An adoptive parent's age at the time of adoption; (b) An adoptive sibling's age at the time of adoption; (c) The heritage, ethnic background, religion, educational level, and occupation of the adoptive parent; (d) General information known about the well-being of the adoptee before and after the adoption.
|
Section 3107.61 | Birth parent may request profiles of prospective adoptive parents and express preference.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
At the request of a birth parent who voluntarily chooses to have a child placed for adoption, the agency or attorney arranging the child's placement and adoption may provide the birth parent profiles of prospective adoptive parents who an assessor has recommended pursuant to a home study under section 3107.031 of the Revised Code be approved to adopt a child. At the request of the birth parent, the agency or attorney may include identifying information about a prospective adoptive parent in the profile if the prospective adoptive parent agrees to the inclusion of the identifying information. If a birth parent chooses a prospective adoptive parent from a profile, the agency or attorney shall give that prospective adoptive parent priority when determining with whom the agency or attorney will place the child.
|
Section 3107.62 | Nonbinding open adoption notice.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 274 - 121st General Assembly
An agency or attorney arranging a child's adoptive placement shall inform the child's birth parent and prospective adoptive parent that the birth parent and prospective adoptive parent may enter into a nonbinding open adoption in accordance with section 3107.63 of the Revised Code.
|
Section 3107.63 | Birth parent may request open adoption agreement.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) A birth parent who voluntarily chooses to have the birth parent's child placed for adoption may request that the agency or attorney arranging the child's adoptive placement provide for the birth parent and prospective adoptive parent to enter into an open adoption with terms acceptable to the birth parent and prospective adoptive parent. Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the agency or attorney shall provide for the open adoption if the birth parent and prospective adoptive parent agree to the terms of the open adoption. (B) An agency or attorney arranging a child's adoptive placement may refuse to provide for the birth parent and prospective adoptive parent to enter into an open adoption. If the agency or attorney refuses, the agency or attorney shall offer to refer the birth parent to another agency or attorney the agency or attorney knows will provide for the open adoption.
|
Section 3107.65 | Terms prohibited in open adoption.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 274 - 121st General Assembly
(A) No open adoption shall do any of the following: (1) Provide for the birth parent to share with the prospective adoptive parent parental control and authority over the child placed for adoption or in any manner limit the adoptive parent's full parental control and authority over the adopted child; (2) Deny the adoptive parent or child access to forms pertaining to the social or medical histories of the birth parent if the adoptive parent or child is entitled to them under section 3107.17 of the Revised Code; (3) Deny the adoptive parent or child access to a copy of the contents of the child's adoption file if the adoptive parent or child is entitled to them under section 3107.47 of the Revised Code; (4) Deny the adoptive parent, child, birth parent, birth sibling, or other relative access to nonidentifying information that is accessible pursuant to section 3107.66 of the Revised Code or to materials, photographs, or information that is accessible pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code; (5) Provide for the open adoption to be binding or enforceable. (B) A probate court may not refuse to approve a proposed placement pursuant to division (D)(1) of section 5103.16 of the Revised Code or to issue a final decree of adoption or interlocutory order of adoption under section 3107.14 of the Revised Code on the grounds that the birth parent and prospective adoptive parent have entered into an open adoption unless the court issues a finding that the terms of the open adoption violate division (A) of this section or are not in the best interest of the child. A probate court may not issue a final decree of adoption or interlocutory order of adoption that nullifies or alters the terms of an open adoption unless the court issues a finding that the terms violate division (A) of this section or are not in the best interest of the child. (C) Subject to divisions (A) and (B) of this section, an open adoption may provide for the exchange of any information, including identifying information, and have any other terms. All terms of an open adoption are voluntary and any person who has entered into an open adoption may withdraw from the open adoption at any time. An open adoption is not enforceable. At the request of a person who has withdrawn from an open adoption, the court with jurisdiction over the adoption shall issue an order barring any other person who was a party to the open adoption from taking any action pursuant to the open adoption.
|
Section 3107.66 | Request for nonidentifying information.
Effective:
March 20, 2015
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly
(A) As used in this section: (1) "Adopted person" includes both an "adopted person" as defined in section 3107.38 of the Revised Code and an "adopted person" as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code. (2) "Adoptive parent" means a person who adopted an adopted person. (3) "Birth parent" means the biological parent of an adopted person. (4) "Birth sibling" means a biological sibling of an adopted person. (B) An adopted person age eighteen or older, an adoptive parent of an adopted person under age eighteen, or an adoptive family member of a deceased adopted person may submit a written request to the agency or attorney who arranged the adopted person's adoption, or the probate court that finalized the adopted person's adoption, for the agency, attorney, or court to provide the adopted person, adoptive parent, or adoptive family member information about the adopted person's birth parent or birth sibling contained in the agency's, attorney's, or court's adoption records that is nonidentifying information. Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the agency, attorney, or court shall provide the adopted person, adoptive parent, or adoptive family member the information sought within a reasonable amount of time. The agency, attorney, or court may charge a reasonable fee for providing the information. A birth parent of an adopted person eighteen years of age or older, a birth sibling age eighteen or older, or a birth family member of a deceased birth parent may submit a written request to the agency or attorney who arranged the adopted person's adoption, or the probate court that finalized the adoption, for the agency, attorney, or court to provide the birth parent, birth sibling, or birth family member information about the adopted person or adoptive parent contained in the agency's, attorney's, or court's adoption records that is nonidentifying information. Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the agency, attorney, or court shall provide the birth parent, birth sibling, or birth family member the information sought within a reasonable amount of time. The agency, attorney, or court may charge a reasonable fee for providing the information. (C) An agency or attorney that has permanently ceased to arrange adoptions is not subject to division (B) of this section. If the adoption records of such an agency or attorney are held by a probate court, person, or other governmental entity pursuant to section 3107.67 of the Revised Code, the adopted person, adoptive parent, adoptive family member, birth parent, birth sibling, or birth family member may submit the written request that otherwise would be submitted to the agency or attorney under division (B) of this section to the court, person, or other governmental entity that holds the records. On receipt of the request, the court, person, or other governmental entity shall provide the information that the agency or attorney would have been required to provide within a reasonable amount of time. The court, person, or other governmental entity may charge a reasonable fee for providing the information. (D) Prior to providing nonidentifying information pursuant to division (B) or (C) of this section, the person or governmental entity providing the information shall review the record to ensure that all identifying information about any person contained in the record is deleted. (E) An agency, attorney, person, or other governmental entity may classify any information described in division (B)(2) of section 3107.60 of the Revised Code as identifying information and deny the request made under division (B) or (C) of this section if the agency, attorney, court, person, or other governmental entity determines that the information could lead to the identification of the adoptive parent. This determination shall be done on a case-by-case basis.
|
Section 3107.67 | Transfer of records to probate court when agency or attorney permanently ceases arranging adoptions.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
(A) For the purpose of division (C) of section 3107.66 of the Revised Code, an agency or attorney that arranged an adoption shall provide the probate court that finalized the adoption with the agency's or attorney's records of the adoption when the agency or attorney permanently ceases to arrange adoptions. If an agency permanently ceases to arrange adoptions because the person operating the agency has died or become incapacitated or the attorney ceases to arrange adoptions because the attorney has died or become incapacitated, the person responsible for disposing of the agency's or attorney's records shall provide the court with the adoption records. If no one is responsible for disposing of the records, the person responsible for administering the estate or managing the resources of the attorney or the person who operated the agency shall provide the court with the adoption records. If the attorney who permanently ceases to arrange adoptions is in practice with another attorney, the attorney may provide the adoption records to the other attorney rather than the court if the other attorney agrees to act in the place of the first attorney for the purpose of section 3107.66 of the Revised Code. The person responsible for the practice of the first attorney shall provide the adoption records to the probate court that finalized the adoption when the practice no longer includes an attorney who agrees to act in the first attorney's place for the purpose of section 3107.66 of the Revised Code. (B) A probate court that receives adoption records under division (A) of this section may transfer the records to a person or governmental entity that voluntarily accepts the records. If the court finds a person or governmental entity that accepts the adoption records, the court shall maintain a directory for the purpose of informing a person seeking the records where the records are held.
|
Section 3107.68 | Providing of materials, photographs and birth parent's first name to child or adoptive parent.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
A birth parent who signs the component of the form prescribed pursuant to division (A)(1)(d), or (B)(1)(c), of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code shall provide the materials the birth parent requests be given to the birth parent's child or adoptive parent to the agency or attorney arranging the adoption. At the request of the birth parent's child or adoptive parent, the agency or attorney shall provide the materials to the child or adoptive parent. A birth parent who signs the component of the form prescribed pursuant to division (A)(1)(e), or (B)(1)(d), of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code shall provide the photographs of the birth parent that the birth parent requests be given to the birth parent's child or adoptive parent to the agency or attorney arranging the adoption. At the request of the birth parent's child or adoptive parent, the agency or attorney shall provide the photographs to the child or adoptive parent. If a birth parent has signed the component of the form prescribed pursuant to division (A)(1)(f), or (B)(1)(e), of section 3107.083 of the Revised Code authorizing the agency or attorney that arranged the adoption of the birth parent's child to provide the child or adoptive parent the first name of the birth parent, the agency or attorney may provide the birth parent's first name to the child or adoptive parent at the request of the child or adoptive parent. An agency or attorney arranging a child's adoption shall provide the adoptive parent the child's social security number.
|
Section 3107.99 | Penalty.
Effective:
September 18, 1996
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 419 - 121st General Assembly
Whoever violates division (B)(1) of section 3107.17 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
|
