Source: https://www.childadoptionlaws.com/child_adoption_laws/adoption_laws_louisiana.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 08:13:28+00:00

Document:
We hope to help you learn more about the child adoption laws in the State of Lousiana. Please note that while we have tried to be as current as possible, laws are occasionally rewritten and/or amended; accordingly, the Louisiana adoption law provided below may have errors, omissions, or may not be the most current version. Please remember that this information should not be used as the basis for making any legal decision. Please use appropriate resources and an attorney's advice when making legal decisions.
Pregnant women and Birth Mothers in Louisiana who need financial, medical, nutritional, health or other types of help such as support groups please click this link.
Except as otherwise specified in this Title, all provisions of the Children's Code remain applicable.
(1) "Agency" or "child placing agency" includes the Department of Social Services, the corresponding department of any other state, and those private agencies and institutions licensed for the placement of children for adoption by the Department of Social Services or by the corresponding department of any other state.
(2) "Birth certificate" means the child's official birth certificate or a true copy of a prefiled version of the birth certificate in the event the official birth certificate has not been issued.
(2.1) "Broker" means any person who, for compensation or the expectation of compensation, obtains or offers to obtain a child for adoption from a third party.
(3) "Child" means a person under seventeen years of age and not emancipated by marriage.
(4) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Social Services.
(5) "Putative father registry" means the Louisiana putative father registry established in R.S. 9:400.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2006, No. 288, §1.
Any person qualified to adopt a child pursuant to Article 1221 may request a social worker acting in the employ of a licensed adoption agency, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist, medical psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family therapist, to conduct a preplacement home study for the purpose of obtaining a certification for adoption.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1309, §9, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 486, §5, eff. June 21, 2001; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1; Acts 2009, No. 251, §13.
(1) The rules and regulations governing the licensing of adoption agencies relative to preplacement home studies, specifically adoptive home studies, notification regarding application, access to records, updating home studies, review procedures, and adoptive parents' records, to the extent that such provisions are compatible with procedural laws governing private surrenders and adoptions.
(2) Such study shall be conducted by a social worker in the employ of a licensed adoption agency, licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist, medical psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family therapist, except that a prospective adoptive parent who is domiciled outside the state shall obtain a preplacement home study in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2 of Title XVI.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1309, §9, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 486, §5, eff. June 21, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1; Acts 2009, No. 194, §1, eff. June 30, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 251, §13.
(2) The expected date of the child's placement.
(4) Their capacity and disposition to give the child love, affection, and guidance and to undertake the responsibilities of becoming the child's parents.
E. The court shall render a decision that is in the best interest of the child and shall consider all relevant factors including those provided in Article 1177(B).
(a) The nature of the offenses.
(b) The number of offenses committed.
(c) The length of time between offenses and between the last offense committed and the application for court approval.
(2) Subsequent to the entry of an order approving an adoptive placement, if the result of a criminal records check or the results of abuse or neglect validated complaint records check indicate that the prospective adoptive parents failed to disclose such unfavorable information at the hearing, the court may issue an instanter order taking protective custody of the child, pursuant to Article 619, if this information, if known, together with other evidence presented at the hearing would have resulted in the court's disapproval of the adoptive placement.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2013, No. 187, §1.
No one except the judge presiding in the case, his successor, or a curator ad hoc, as provided for in Article 1191, shall have access to the confidential records of the court pursuant to this Title. Following final disposition of an adoption case, the reports submitted by the department to the judge shall be retained in the court's confidential adoption record.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1.
A. All adoption records shall be retained in confidential files, and it shall be unlawful for anyone except the biological or adopting parent to disclose any identifying information concerning any individual adoption case, except upon order of the court, after giving proper notice as required in Article 1190 or as otherwise authorized by this Code, or for purposes directly connected with an adoption agency's responsibilities in relation to adoption work as permitted by its rules and regulations.
B. If the agency, firm, or lawyer ceases to do business in this state, it shall transfer its adoption records to the Department of Children and Family Services or another transferee approved by the department. Thereafter, the transferee shall ensure the preservation and confidentiality of records required by Paragraph A of this Article and assumes responsibility for providing nonidentifying information as required by Articles 1127 and 1127.1.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 812, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1.
A. An adopted person or, if still a minor, his legal representative on his behalf may file a motion for disclosure of information pertaining to his adoption pursuant to Article 1189. The action shall be styled: "In re the Adoption of _____".
B. A biological sibling or descendant of an adopted person, or if still a minor, his legal representative on his behalf, may file a motion for disclosure pursuant to Article 1189.
C. This action and the limited medical exception provision of Article 1127 shall be the exclusive means for gaining access to records of adoptions whether maintained by this court, some other court, an adoption agency, any state agency, or private individual, notwithstanding provisions of law to the contrary.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1995, No. 1108, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1.
(1) There are inheritance rights which are or may be due from the biological parents of the adopted person in accordance with the Civil Code.
(2) There is a medical necessity requiring information about the biological family of the adopted person or his own preadoption health history in order to treat the adopted person, his siblings, or his descendants.
(3) Both the adopted person, or the adoptive parent of a minor or a deceased adoptive person, or a descendant of a deceased adopted person, or his parent if a minor, and a person reasonably believed to be his biological parent or biological sibling, or a parent, sibling, or descendant, or his parent if a minor, of a deceased biological parent have registered with the department pursuant to Chapter 15 of this Title.
(4) The information is otherwise required to be disclosed by federal or state law.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 715, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
A. Upon reviewing a motion for disclosure on grounds of either inheritance rights or medical necessity, the court may deny it for lack of a proper showing of compelling necessity. Before granting a motion, the court may appoint a curator ad hoc and shall set the motion for a hearing.
C. Upon a motion by an adopted person, or if a minor, his legal representative, seeking disclosure from the records of the court of nonidentifying medical or genetic information acquired from a physician, agency, or any other source, the court shall order the clerk to make the information available.
D.(1) The court shall grant a motion seeking nonidentifying medical or genetic information, a motion seeking information to verify a match of voluntary registration pursuant to Chapter 15 of this Title, or a motion seeking other information required by law to be disclosed.
(2) The court may appoint a curator ad hoc to open and review the adoption record and original birth certificate. The curator shall report his findings in accordance with Article 1191.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 2003, No. 812, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1.
(1) Securing all records pertaining to the petitioner's request through subpoenas duces tecum or other discovery process, if necessary.
(4) Reporting his findings to the court within thirty days of the date of his acceptance of appointment or within an earlier time as ordered by the court due to exigent circumstances, recommending the granting or denial of the request of the mover, and particularizing the necessary scope of any disclosure order for the court's consideration.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1.
After a hearing, the court may order disclosure to the extent necessary to satisfy the mover's demonstrated ground for disclosure. Insofar as possible, an order disclosing information from the court's own records or any records obtained by the curator ad hoc shall contain nonidentifying information about the biological family. If the court determines that identifying information shall be disclosed, the court may release such information to the person requiring it and order that the confidentiality be maintained without disclosure to the mover.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1.
B. Upon acceptance by the court, the parent's consent to the adoption is irrevocable.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1.
Prior to the initiation of any adoption under the provisions of this Title, the attorney for the petitioners shall obtain a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which shall be attached to the petition for adoption.
B. The petition shall be accompanied by a certified copy of any order terminating the rights of the child's parents.
(4) Reasonable administrative expenses incurred by the department or the agency, including overhead, court costs, travel costs, and attorney fees connected with an adoption. In approving a reasonable fee for overhead, the court shall consider and include additional expenses incurred by the department or the agency not specifically allocated to the adoption before the court including the cost of failed adoptions, where those expenses or fees represent actual costs of the department's or agency's adoption services permitted by the provisions of this Article.
(5) Reasonable expenses incurred for mental health counseling services provided to a biological parent or a child for a reasonable time before and after the child's placement for adoption.
(8) Reasonable attorney fees, court costs, travel, or other expenses incurred on behalf of a parent who surrenders a child for adoption or otherwise consents to the child's adoption.
H. A copy of the Adoption Disclosure Affidavit and all orders of the court pursuant to this Article shall be mailed to the office of children and family services, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.
A. Each petition for an agency adoption shall be accompanied by an affidavit executed by the petitioner and petitioner's attorney containing an accounting of fees and charges paid or agreed to be paid by or on behalf of the petitioner in connection with the adoption.
B. The affidavit shall not include any identifying information as to the biological parents, their families, or the child's birth name.
5. We understand that this information will be transmitted to the office of children and family services, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. We further understand that it may be released by written authorization of the court for purposes of a grand jury investigation pursuant to R.S. 14:286 or for an ethical investigation by the Committee on Professional Responsibility of the Louisiana State Bar Association.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992.
(3) Other factors regarding the suitability of the child for adoption in petitioner's home.
C. The department shall make every effort to locate any living parent whose consent is required under Article 1193 to determine the parent's attitude toward the proposed adoption. If a curator ad hoc has been appointed by the court pursuant to Article 1205, the department shall supply him with all information pertinent to the location of an absentee parent within fifteen days of its receipt of a copy of the order appointing the curator ad hoc.
A. The court shall sign the order setting the time and place for the hearing of the petition for agency adoption not less than thirty nor more than sixty days after the filing of the adoption petition. The court may extend this time for up to sixty additional days for good cause, which may include a showing by the department that it has been impossible to gather the necessary data within the time prescribed. The court may reduce the time to a minimum of fifteen days with written approval of the department and the petitioner. If an extension of time is granted, the court shall set a new hearing date and shall require the petitioner to report to the court, either at that hearing, or before, in detail concerning the progress of the child's adoptive placement.
(4) The report of any criminal records concerning the petitioner, including the nature of the offenses, the number of offenses, and the length of time between the offenses and between the last offense committed and the petition for agency adoption. The existence of a criminal record of the petitioner shall not be automatic grounds for the court to refuse to grant an agency adoption.
(5) The report of any validated complaints of child abuse or neglect concerning the petitioner.
(6) The testimony of the parties.
D. If not previously determined by the court in a separate hearing, the court shall also determine whether any proposed continuing contact agreement involving a child in the custody of the department is in the best interest of the child in accordance with Article 1269.5.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2013, No. 187, §1.
(1) The child was placed in the petitioner's home by an agency and the child has lived in that home for at least six months prior to the hearing for adoption.
(2) The rights of the child's parents have been terminated pursuant to Title X or XI and the child has lived in the petitioner's home for at least one year.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2012, No. 730, §1.
B. The petition shall be accompanied by a certified copy of any order terminating the rights of the child's parents and if not previously filed, by a current certification for adoption.
A. Each petition for private adoption shall be accompanied by an affidavit executed by petitioner and petitioner's attorney containing an accounting of fees and charges paid or agreed to be paid by or on behalf of the petitioner in connection with the adoption.
C. The department shall make every effort to locate any living parent whose consent is required under Article 1193 to determine the parent's attitude toward the proposed adoption. If a curator ad hoc has been appointed by the court pursuant to Article 1227, the department shall supply him with all information pertinent to the location of an absentee parent within fifteen days of its receipt of a copy of the order appointing the curator ad hoc.
A. The court shall sign the order setting the time and place for the hearing of the petition for private adoption not less than thirty nor more than sixty days after the filing of the adoption petition. The court may extend this time for up to sixty additional days for good cause, which may include a showing by the department that it has been impossible to gather the necessary data within the time prescribed. The court may reduce the time to a minimum of fifteen days with written approval of the department and the petitioner. If an extension of time is granted, the court shall set a new hearing date and shall require the petitioner to report to the court, either at that hearing, or before, in detail concerning the progress of the child's adoptive placement.
(4) The report of any criminal records concerning the petitioner, including the nature of the offenses, the number of offenses, and the length of time between the offenses and between the last offense committed and the petition for private adoption. The existence of a criminal record of the petitioner shall not be automatic grounds for the court to refuse to grant a private adoption.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2013, No. 187, §1.
Notwithstanding Article 1238, upon due consideration of the factors enumerated in Article 1230(B), the court may render a final decree of private adoption at the first hearing, without the necessity of first entering an interlocutory decree, only if the rights of the child's parents have been terminated pursuant to Title X or XI and the child has lived in the petitioner's home for one year.
(1) A father who has formally acknowledged the child with the written concurrence of the child's mother.
(2) A father whose name or signature appears on the child's birth certificate as the child's father.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 733, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 256, §1; Acts 1999, No. 695, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 65, §1, eff. April 18, 2002; Acts 2007, No. 111, §1; Acts 2010, No. 190, §1.
(1) That the local sheriff or the office of state police, Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, conduct a records check for all federal arrests and convictions and all state arrests and convictions for each of the prospective adoptive parents. Prospective adoptive parents shall submit a set of fingerprints to the sheriff or the office of state police.
C. The sheriff or the office of state police, Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, and the department shall accord priority to these orders and shall provide a certificate indicating all information discovered, or that no information has been found.
Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2010, No. 192, §1.
A. Except as otherwise provided herein, any parent may execute an authentic act consenting to the adoption of his child in an intrafamily adoption, including a waiver of service or notice for any subsequent proceeding.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 256, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §§4, 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2004, No. 26, §3; Acts 2010, No. 738, §1.
A. A parent, whose rights have not been terminated in accordance with Title X or XI or who has not previously consented to the adoption in accordance with Article 1244, may oppose the adoption of his child by filing a clear and written answer and opposition to the adoption. The answer and opposition shall be filed with the court within fifteen days from the time of service of the filing of an intrafamily adoption petition.
B. Upon receipt of the opposition, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the child, subject to the limitations in Article 1121. Neither the child nor anyone purporting to act on his behalf may be permitted to waive this right. The costs of the representation of the child shall be taxed as costs of court.
C. When the opposition provides that the parent cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court shall determine whether due process requires the appointment of counsel within twenty-one days of the filing of the opposition.
D. Notice shall be served in accordance with Articles 1133 and 1134 on the opposing parent, the legal custodian, the petitioner, counsel appointed for the child, counsel appointed for the parent, and the other parent not consenting to the adoption pursuant to Article 1144 or whose rights have not previously been terminated.
Acts 2010, No. 738, §1.
A. The consent of the parent as required by Article 1193 may be dispensed with upon proof by clear and convincing evidence of the required elements of either Paragraph B or C of this Article at the hearing on the opposition and petition.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 256, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2008, No. 778, §1; Acts 2010, No. 738, §1.
§1245.1. Repealed by Acts 2010, No. 738, §2.
Louisiana law provides that under certain circumstances your consent to the adoption of your child may be dispensed with and you can permanently lose your rights as a parent by final decree of adoption. An intrafamily adoption petition has been filed requesting the court to grant an adoption and terminate your parental rights to your child. A copy of the petition is attached to this notice. If you do not file a written answer stating your opposition to the adoption within fifteen days of receiving this notice you will lose the right to object to the adoption. If you choose to file a written answer stating your opposition to the adoption you must file it with the clerk of court at _______. Only if you file an answer stating your opposition to the adoption will you have an opportunity to present your opposition to the adoption. If you file an answer stating your opposition, the court will set a hearing, and you will receive notice of the hearing of your opposition.
If you do not file an answer stating your opposition, and if the court at the adoption hearing finds that the facts set out in the petition are true and that adoption is in the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending your rights to your child. If the judgment terminates your parental rights, you will no longer have any rights to visit or to have custody of your child or make any decisions affecting your child, and your child will be legally freed to be adopted.
This is a very serious matter. You should contact an attorney immediately so that he or she can help you determine your rights. You have the right to hire an attorney and to have him or her represent you. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney and you oppose the adoption, your answer stating your opposition may request that the court determine if you have the right to have an attorney appointed. If you have filed an answer stating your opposition, whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you will have the right to attend the hearing of your case, to call witnesses on your behalf, and to question those witnesses brought against you.
You may call the telephone number on the attached form for information concerning free legal aid. If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may call the telephone number of the clerk's office which is ______.
B. If the adoption petition names an alleged or adjudicated father and his parental rights have not been terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction, he shall be served with notice of the filing of the petition in accordance with Articles 1133, 1134, and 1136 and thereafter, his rights shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Articles 1137 through 1143.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 1095, §6; Acts 1999, No. 395, §7; Acts 2008, No. 778, §1; Acts 2010, No. 738, §1; Acts 2012, No. 603, §1.
A. If a parent upon whom service is required under Article 1247 resides within this state, service shall be made either personally or by domiciliary service not less than thirty days prior to the commencement of the hearing on the petition.
B. If any social security numbers are contained in the petition or in any of the exhibits attached to the petition, they may be redacted from the copies being served.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2012, No. 603, §1.
A. If a parent upon whom service is required under Article 1247 does not reside within this state, service shall be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by commercial courier as defined in R.S. 13:3204(D), to the address indicated in the petition not less than thirty days prior to commencement of the hearing on the petition.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1; Acts 2012, No. 603, §1.
A. If a parent upon whom service is required pursuant to Article 1247 cannot be served in accordance with the provisions of Article 1248 or 1249, the court shall appoint an attorney at law as curator ad hoc for the parent and service shall be made upon the curator ad hoc.
C. Upon appointment of the curator ad hoc, a copy of the letter of appointment shall be forwarded to the department.
D. The fees and costs of the curator ad hoc shall be paid by the petitioner, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary.
A. The department shall not investigate the proposed intrafamily adoption except upon order of the court. If the court orders an investigation, it may request any information which it deems relevant and require that the department submit a confidential report of its findings to the court.
B. The department shall make every effort to locate any living parent whose consent is required under Article 1193 to determine the parent's attitude toward the proposed adoption. If a curator ad hoc has been appointed by the court pursuant to Article 1250, the department shall supply him with all information pertinent to the location of an absentee parent within fifteen days of its receipt of a copy of the order appointing the curator ad hoc.
A. The court shall hear the petition for intrafamily adoption within sixty days if there is no opposition or within ninety days if there is opposition. The court may extend this time for up to sixty days for good cause, which may include a showing by the department that it has been impossible to gather the necessary data within the time prescribed. The court may reduce the time to a minimum of fifteen days with written approval of the department and the petitioner.
(4) The report of any criminal records concerning the petitioner, including the nature of the offenses, the number of offenses, and the length of time between the offenses and between the last offense committed and the petition for intrafamily adoption. The existence of a criminal record of the petitioner shall not be automatic grounds for the court to refuse to grant an intrafamily adoption.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2010, No. 738, §1; Acts 2013, No. 187, §1.
B. When a court has granted custody to either the child's grandparents or his parent married to the stepparent petitioner, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that this adoption is in the best interests of the child.
§1258. Repealed by Acts 2010, No. 738, §2.
Agreements for continuing contact by certain biological relatives or foster parents with an adopted child after an adoption do not violate any public policy of this state, provided the adopting parents and biological relative or foster parent voluntarily execute the agreement in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter.
Acts 2008, No. 583, §§1, 2.
B. If there is no parental relationship that meets the requirements of Paragraph A of this Article, the court may approve an agreement, executed in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter, that provides for continuing contact between the child to be adopted and any other relative or foster parent whose relationship with the child meets those requirements.
C. When adoption is approved by the court as the permanent plan for the child, the department shall inform any parent, grandparent, sibling, or any other relative or foster parent who meets the requirements of Paragraph A or B of this Article of the possibility of post-adoption contact with the child upon agreement with the adoptive parents in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §§1, 2.
B. In an agency adoption in which the department is the custodian of the child, the department and counsel for the child shall report to the court approval or objection to the agreement and the child's wishes concerning continuing contact. The court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for the child, if any, may also submit recommendations to the court regarding a proposed agreement.
C. If requested by the parties, the court may refer them to mediation to assist them in confecting a continuing contact agreement. If necessary to ensure that the child's best interest is taken into account, the court may also appoint independent counsel for any child involved in future continuing contact.
D. A continuing contact agreement may authorize the exchange of information, communication by telephone, mail, e-mail, or other means, and direct visitation in either the adopting parents' home or elsewhere through a mutually agreed-upon intermediary.
(4) The adopting parents have been informed and understand that the sibling, grandparent, parent, or other relative by blood, adoption, or affinity may seek enforcement of the terms of the agreement in accordance with Article 1269.8.
We (NAME OF ADOPTIVE PARENT(S)) and (NAME OF ADULT PERSON PERMITTED CONTACT BY ARTICLE 1269.2) agree to post-adoption continuing contact between (NAME OF ADOPTED CHILD) and (NAME OF PERSON PERMITTED CONTACT) in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement reflects our commitment to an on-going, cooperative relationship focused upon meeting (NAME OF CHILD)'s needs now and in the future, fully recognizing that those needs may change as (HE/SHE) matures.
We also agree that (NAME OF DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE or NAME OF COUNSEL FOR ADOPTIVE PARENT) shall file this Agreement with the proper court of jurisdiction by (DATE NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS FROM EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT) requesting the court's approval of this Agreement in accordance with Louisiana Children's Code Article 1269.5.
This Agreement reflects our minimum expectations regarding continuing contact for the duration of the minority of (NAME OF CHILD). We understand that we can agree upon other continuing contact arrangements in the future through informal or formal means. However, we recognize that these minimum expectations must be preserved until such time as we modify them by mutual written agreement or the court modifies or terminates this Agreement in accordance with Louisiana Children's Code Article 1269.8.
We certify that we enter this Agreement in good faith and intend that it always be interpreted to serve (NAME OF CHILD)'s best interest. We agree that we will always attempt to resolve any disagreement that may arise in (HIS/HER) best interest and acknowledge that court modification or enforcement is to be used only as a last resort when all informal means of resolution have been exhausted. We acknowledge that Louisiana Children's Code Article 1269.8 authorizes the court to hear a motion to enforce, modify, or terminate this Agreement only after we have attempted in good faith to mediate the issues underlying our disagreement. Should mediation fail to resolve our differences, the court may modify or terminate this Agreement upon finding a change of circumstances and the Agreement no longer serves the best interest of (NAME OF CHILD).
We acknowledge that unless it is the legal custodian of a minor sibling named in this Agreement, the Department of Children and Family Services, office of children and family services, is not a party to this Agreement and has no responsibility for enforcement of it.
This Agreement becomes effective upon approval of the court in accordance with Louisiana Children's Code Article 1269.5.
Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 583, §§1, 2.
Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2008, No. 583, §2.
(1) The duration of the child's relationship with the parent, grandparent, sibling, or other relative by blood, adoption, or affinity seeking continuing contact.
E. If the child is twelve years of age or older, the court shall solicit and consider the child's wishes in the matter.
Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 583, §2.
A. A continuing contact agreement shall be enforceable only if filed with the court and approved in accordance with Article 1269.5.
B. Failure to comply with the terms of an agreement made pursuant to this Chapter is not grounds for nullifying a surrender or an adoption decree or revocation by a biological parent of a surrender or consent to an adoption or for any action seeking the child's custody. Failure to include this warning in the judgment as required by Article 1269.5 shall not affect the adoption.
The adoptive parent and any relative or foster parent who may be permitted continuing contact by Article 1269.2(B) may enter into an agreement regarding communication or contact after entry of a final decree of adoption. Any such agreement shall be enforceable only if filed with the court and approved in accordance with this Chapter.
C. If the child is twelve years of age or older, the court shall solicit and consider the child's wishes in the matter.
A. Adoption is based upon the legal termination of parental rights and responsibilities of biological parents and the creation of the relationship of parent and child between an adopted person and his adoptive parents. These legal and social premises underlying adoption shall be maintained.
(1) The legislature recognizes that some adults, adopted as children, have a strong interest in identifying information about their biological parents or biological siblings, or both, while other such adult adopted persons have no such interest.
(2) The legislature further recognizes that some biological parents and biological siblings have a strong interest in identifying information about their biological children or siblings who were surrendered for adoption, while others have no such interest.
(3) The legislature also recognizes the potential for special situations whereby other adoptive and biological relatives of an adopted person, such as a parent, sibling, or descendant, or his parent if a minor, of a deceased biological parent and an adoptive parent of a minor or deceased adopted person as well as a descendant of a deceased adopted person, or his parent if a minor, may have a need for identifying information.
(4) The legislature fully recognizes the right to privacy and confidentiality of biological parents whose children were adopted, siblings, adopted persons, and the adoptive family.
B. There is hereby created within the office of children and family services of the Department of Children and Family Services a voluntary registry for the matching of adopted persons, or an adoptive parent of a minor or deceased adopted person, or a descendant of a deceased adopted person, or his parent if a minor, and biological parents or siblings, or both, or a parent, sibling, or descendant, or his parent if a minor, of a deceased biological parent. The purpose of this registry shall be to facilitate voluntary contact between the adopted person, or an adoptive parent of a minor or deceased adopted person, or the descendant of a deceased adopted person, or his parent if a minor, and a biological parent or biological sibling, or both, or a parent, sibling, or descendant, or his parent if a minor, of a deceased biological parent.
C. The use of the registry shall be limited to the adopted person who is at least eighteen years of age, the biological mother, the biological father, parents or siblings or a descendant, or his parent if a minor, of a deceased biological parent, an adoptive parent of a minor or deceased adopted person or a descendant of a deceased adopted person, or his parent if a minor, and any biological sibling who is at least eighteen years of age.
D. No registration by an adopted person shall be permitted until all biological siblings who were adopted by the same adoptive parent or parents have reached the age of eighteen years.
E. The office of children and family services shall not release any registry information in violation of this Chapter.
F. The office of children and family services shall confirm for an adopted person the fact of his adoption and identify the court in which the adoption was finalized and the agency, firm, or lawyer facilitating the adoption when that information is known. To receive this information, the adopted person shall be eighteen years of age or older, provide proof of identity, and submit a written request.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 715, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
A. Registration shall be by affidavit filed with the office of community services. That office shall develop and furnish standardized affidavit forms appropriate for effecting the purpose of this Chapter.
B. Registration shall be effective upon filing and shall remain effective until withdrawn by the affiant's written request.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 715, §1; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
A. The office of community services shall regularly monitor registrant affidavits, utilizing computer services if necessary, to determine whether affidavits have been filed by a registrant as enumerated in Article 1270.
B. If there appears to be a match between current registrants, the office of community services shall notify the registrants of the match and of the counseling requirements of Paragraph D of this Article. Upon verification that each registered person has met the requirements the office of community services shall provide the details of the match to the licensed clinical social worker, social worker acting in the employ of a licensed adoption agency, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family therapist that provided counseling for the registrant, who shall then contact the registered and matched parties in a careful and confidential manner and give them the information necessary to contact each other.
C. If doubt exists that any registrants are biologically related, the office of community services shall advise them to file a motion with the court having jurisdiction and request permission to open the sealed adoption record for verification. Such verification shall be a compelling reason, within the meaning of Article 1189, to open the adoption records for the limited purpose of verification.
D. Each registrant shall participate in not less than one hour of counseling with a licensed clinical social worker, a social worker acting in the employ of a licensed adoption agency, a licensed professional counselor, a licensed psychologist, medical psychologist, a licensed psychiatrist, or a licensed marriage and family therapist before they will be put in contact with one another.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 715, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1309, §9, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 486, §5, eff. June 21, 2001; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1; Acts 2009, No. 251, §13; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
Documents filed with the office of community services, pursuant to this Chapter, shall be confidential and shall not be available for inspection, except under the procedures set forth in this Chapter.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
When one or both of the biological parents are deceased, or when the adopted person is deceased and this fact is known by the voluntary registry or by the licensed adoption agency, firm, or lawyer which originally placed the adopted person for adoption, this information shall be disclosed to any person permitted to register pursuant to Article 1270 and who has registered with the office of community services under the provisions of this Chapter, and the registered persons shall then be afforded the option of deciding whether they still desire to avail themselves of the contact opportunity provided through the voluntary registry.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §12, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2008, No. 583, §1; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.
Nothing contained in this Chapter shall limit a person's right to proceed under Chapter 5 of this Title to obtain confidential adoption information.
This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Louisiana Has Faith in Families Act".
Acts 2013, No. 66, §1, eff. May 31, 2013.
1. It is in the best interest of a foster child who is adoption-eligible to be placed in a permanent adoptive family as soon as practicable.
2. The state has an interest in decreasing the delays in finalizing adoptions in order to facilitate permanent adoption and family cohesion.
Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, in order to facilitate the recruitment of new families for children, the incentives provided in this Chapter shall be made available for those children who have been adopted from the custody of the state and meet eligibility requirements.
A. The department shall make every effort to declare every child in the department's custody eligible for certain adoption assistance or subsidy in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Chapter.
B. Subsidized adoption. (1) The department is authorized to develop and implement a program for subsidizing the adoption of children with special needs.
(a) The child, because of physical or mental condition, ethnic background, age, membership in a sibling group, or other serious impediments or special needs, is considered a child that is difficult to place for adoption, and the department has made reasonable attempts to place said child for adoption to no avail.
(b) The adoptive family, tutor, or guardian is capable of providing the permanent family relationship needed by the child in all respects other than financial, and the needs of the child are beyond the economic ability and resources of the family, tutor, or guardian.
C. Costs and expenses covered. (1) Payments in subsidy of an adoption may include but are not limited to the maintenance costs, medical and surgical expenses, and other costs that are incidental to the care, training, and education of the child, including special medical costs for any child in connection with any physical or mental condition that existed prior to the date of the initial judgment of adoption.
(2) The amount of payments may vary, depending upon the needs of the child and the adoptive parents, tutor, or guardian, but in any event shall not exceed one hundred percent of the cost of providing foster care for the child. Payments for medical, surgical, psychiatric, and other special costs and services may not exceed the amount the department would pay if it were to provide or secure them as guardian of the child.
(3) Payments to the parents, tutor, or guardian shall be terminated when the adopted child becomes eighteen years of age.
D. Eligibility. (1) Eligibility for payments in subsidy of adoption shall be determined and approved by the department, in accordance with rules and regulations adopted as provided by Paragraph E of this Article, prior to the completion of the adoption proceeding. Such eligibility shall thereafter be redetermined at least annually, except that in those cases where the child is eligible for funding pursuant to Title IV, Part E of the Social Security Act, the redetermination shall be made at least every five years thereafter.
(i) Has a subsidized adoption program that is available to such former Louisiana residents, parents, tutors, or guardians for the particular Louisiana child to be adopted.
(ii) Is a party to the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance in accordance with the provisions of Children's Code Articles 1601 et seq.
(i) Has a subsidized adoption program that is available to such Louisiana nonresident parents, tutors, or guardians for the particular Louisiana child to be adopted.
(3) The subsidized payments, as provided herein, shall include cases involving children in the custody of the department and children determined to be entitled to benefits pursuant to federal laws, rules, or regulations.
E. Rules and regulations. The department, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, shall adopt, promulgate, and enforce such rules and regulations as are necessary and appropriate to implement the provisions of this Chapter.
F. Contractual obligation of the state. (1) Any agreement by the department to subsidize the adoption of a child eligible for such subsidy, which results in a final decree of adoption of the child by adoptive parents or the designated tutor or guardian of the child who is relying on the availability of the subsidy at the time of the final decree of adoption, shall constitute a contractual obligation on the part of the state in favor of the adoptive parents, tutor, or guardian to the extent that such parents, tutor, or guardian remain eligible for the subsidy under the laws and regulations prevailing on the date of the final decree of adoption. Such obligation shall cease when the adopted child reaches the age of majority.
(2) Changes in the child's condition or changes in the income of the adoptive parents, where the condition or income formed the basis for the subsidy, shall be cause for modifying the subsidy agreement in accordance with the laws and regulations prevailing at the time of the final decree of adoption.
G. Payment expenses. The adoptive parents may be awarded a one-time payment to cover non-recurring expenses of the adoption, such as attorney fees and court costs, directly related to the legal adoption of a child with special needs, in an amount to be approved by the department.
A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any child in the custody of the department who is eligible for adoption and is placed in an approved adoptive home shall be eligible for dependent coverage under the prospective adoptive parents' health insurance policy pursuant to R.S. 22:1004. Any additional costs for the child to be added to the adoptive parents' health insurance policy shall not be paid for by the department, but the adoptive parents may qualify for premium assistance pursuant to Paragraph C of this Article.
B. Any child who is in the custody of the department or has been adopted from the custody of the department shall be qualified for Medicaid if the child meets the guidelines set forth pursuant to Part II of Chapter 8 of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statues of 1950.
C. Any child in the custody of the department who is Medicaid eligible, is eligible for adoption, and has been placed in an approved prospective adoptive home or adopted from the custody of the department shall be considered for premium assistance for employer sponsored insurance pursuant to LAC 50:III.2311.
A.(1) A child who is in foster care pursuant to placement through the department shall be allowed to remain enrolled in the public school in which the child was enrolled at the time he entered foster care for the duration of the child's stay in the custody of the state or until he completes the highest grade offered at the school, if the department determines that remaining in such school is in the best interest of the child. Transportation of the child shall be provided pursuant to R.S. 17:238(C).
(2) A child in the custody of the department shall be eligible to attend a school in the school district or parish of the foster care placement.
(3) A child in the custody of the department shall be given preference in enrollment in the same manner as children receiving preference in R.S. 17:3991(C)(1)(c)(iii) for enrollment to attend a charter school that has been established pursuant to R.S. 17:3983.
B. When a child is in the custody of the department and is placed with foster parents who have other children living in the home who already attend a nonpublic or parochial school, the foster child may attend the same nonpublic or parochial school if the department finds it is in the best interest of the child, and if the child meets the admission requirements of the nonpublic or parochial school. The department shall not be directly responsible for paying for the expenses associated with such education.
C. When a child is in the custody of the department and is placed with foster parents who have other children in the home who are participants in an approved home study program, pursuant to R.S. 17:236.1, the department may approve the placement of the foster child in an approved home study program if the department finds it is in the best interest of the child. Home study programs approved by the Department of Education to educate foster children shall offer a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level, pursuant to R.S. 17:236.1(C)(1). Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Department of Education shall provide the department, upon request, verification that a home study program in which a foster child is participating has been approved pursuant to R.S. 17:236. The foster parent shall provide the department appropriate documentation, including but not limited to copies of standardized tests, to substantiate that the child is progressing on grade level and at a rate equal to one grade level for each year in the program.
(1) Where the child has been placed in foster care with the prospective adoptive parents, any necessary waiting period as required by Article 1211 shall be applied retroactively.
(2) When the child is in the custody of the department, any additional home study required by Article 1207 may be waived by the court if the adoptive parents have been the foster parents of the child for the required six-month time period.
(3)(a) Whenever a child has been placed in the custody of the department and the child is eligible for adoption, the prospective adoptive parents may file an adoption proceeding in the court that terminated the parental rights, pursuant to Article 1180, and the case shall be allotted to the judge who presided over the termination proceedings.
(b) The court may order the approval of the adoptive placement ex parte without the need for a hearing required pursuant to Article 1177, where the prospective adoptive parents were previously approved by the department as foster parents for the child.

References: §12
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §12
 §9
 §5
 §1
 §13
 §12
 §9
 §5
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §13
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §12
 §4
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §4
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §3
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §1

§1245
 §2
 §12
 §1
 §6
 §7
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §1

§1258
 §2
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §2
 §1
 §2
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §4
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §9
 §5
 §1
 §13
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §12
 §1
 §1
 §1