reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
15 V.S.A. § 2-101
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-101. Who may place minors for adoption

§ 2-101. Who may place minors for adoption|(a) The only persons who may place a minor for adoption are:  (1) a parent having legal and physical custody of the minor, as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section; (2) a guardian expressly authorized by the court to place the minor for adoption; (3) an agency to which the minor has been relinquished for purposes of adoption; or (4) an agency expressly authorized to place the minor for adoption by a court order terminating the relationship between the minor and the minor's parent or guardian.   (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a parent having legal and physical custody of a minor may place the minor for adoption, even if the other parent has not executed a consent or a relinquishment or the other parent's relationship to the minor has not been terminated.(c) A parent having legal and physical custody of a minor may not place the minor for adoption if the other parent has legal custody or a right of visitation with the minor and that parent's whereabouts are known, unless that parent agrees in writing to the placement or, before the placement, the parent who intends to place the minor sends notice of the intended placement by certified mail to the other parent's last known address.(d) An agency authorized under this title to place a minor for adoption may place the minor for adoption, even if only one parent has executed a relinquishment or has had his or her parental relationship to the minor terminated. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-102
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-102. Direct placement for adoption by parent or guardian

§ 2-102. Direct placement for adoption by parent or guardian|(a) A parent or guardian authorized to place a minor for adoption may place the minor only with a prospective adoptive parent who has a valid favorable preplacement evaluation or for whom a preplacement evaluation is not required.(b) A parent or guardian shall personally select a prospective adoptive parent.(c) A parent or guardian may be assisted by another person in locating a prospective adoptive parent or in transferring legal and physical custody to a prospective adoptive parent.(d) A prospective adoptive parent may be assisted by another person in locating a minor who is available for adoption.(e) A prospective adoptive parent shall furnish a copy of the preplacement evaluation to the parent or guardian. The evaluation may be edited to exclude identifying information.(f) If, at the time of the minor's placement for adoption, the parent or guardian has not executed a consent to adoption, the parent or guardian will furnish to the prospective adoptive parent a signed statement that:  (1) the transfer of custody is for the purpose of adoption; (2) the parent or guardian has been informed of the provisions of this title relevant to placement for adoption, consent, and termination of parental rights; (3) the prospective adoptive parent is authorized to provide support and medical care for a specific period of time.   (g) The prospective adoptive parent shall acknowledge in writing responsibility for the minor's medical and other care and support and for returning the minor to the custody of the parent or guardian if the consent is not executed within the time specified. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-103
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-103. Placement for adoption by agency

§ 2-103. Placement for adoption by agency|(a) An agency authorized to place a minor for adoption shall furnish to a person who inquires about its services a written statement of its services, including the agency's procedure for selecting a prospective adoptive parent for a minor, the role of the parent or guardian in the selection, and a schedule of its fees.(b) A parent shall be informed that he or she may indicate preferences for the selection of the adoptive parent, and may be involved in the selection of the adoptive parent.(c) An agency that places a minor for adoption shall authorize in writing the prospective adoptive parent to provide support and medical and other care for the minor pending entry of a decree of adoption. The prospective adoptive parent shall acknowledge in writing responsibility for the minor's support and medical and other care.(d) An agency shall inform the adoptive parents about any known unique requirements or special needs of the child and the services available to assist with meeting those needs, including any adoption subsidy for which the child may be eligible.(e) Upon request by a parent who has relinquished a minor child pursuant to Part 4 of this article, the agency shall promptly inform the parent as to whether the minor has been placed for adoption, whether a petition for adoption has been granted, denied, or withdrawn, and, if the petition was not granted, whether another placement has been made. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-106
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-106. Interstate placement

§ 2-106. Interstate placement|An adoption in this State of a minor brought into this State from another state by a prospective adoptive parent, or by a person who places the minor for adoption in this State, is governed by the laws of this State, including this title and the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-107
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-107. Intercountry placement

§ 2-107. Intercountry placement|An adoption in this State of a minor brought into this State from another country by a prospective adoptive parent, or by a person who places the minor for adoption in this State, is governed by this title, subject to any convention or treaty on intercountry adoption which the United States has ratified, and any relevant federal law. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-201
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-201. Preplacement evaluation required

§ 2-201. Preplacement evaluation required|(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, only a person for whom a favorable written preplacement evaluation has been prepared may accept custody of a minor for purposes of adoption.(b) An evaluation is valid if it was completed or updated within the 12 months preceding the placement of the minor with the person for adoption.(c) A court may waive all or a portion of the requirement of a preplacement evaluation for good cause shown, but a person who is the subject of a waiver shall be evaluated during the pendency of a proceeding for adoption.(d) A preplacement evaluation is not required if a parent or guardian places a minor directly with a relative of the minor for purposes of adoption, but an evaluation of the relative is required during the pendency of a proceeding for adoption. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1997, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-202
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-202. Preplacement evaluator

§ 2-202. Preplacement evaluator|(a) A preplacement evaluation may be prepared only by a person who is qualified by the Department to make the evaluation or who meets the qualifications of an evaluator and is appointed by the court.(b) An evaluator may charge a reasonable fee, based on time spent, for preparing an evaluation, even if the person being evaluated requests that it not be completed. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-204
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-204. Determining suitability to be adoptive parent

§ 2-204. Determining suitability to be adoptive parent|(a) An evaluator shall assess the information required by section 2-203 of this title to determine whether it raises a concern that placement of any minor, or a particular minor, in the home of the person would pose a risk of harm to the physical or psychological well-being of the minor.(b) If an evaluator determines that the information assessed does not raise a concern that placement of any minor, or a particular minor, in the home of the person would pose a risk of harm to the physical or psychological well-being of the minor, the evaluator shall find that the person is suited to be an adoptive parent. The evaluator may comment about any factor that in the evaluator's opinion makes the person suited in general or for a particular minor.(c) If an evaluator determines that the information assessed raises a concern that placement of any minor, or a particular minor, in the home of the person would pose a risk of harm to the physical or psychological well-being of the minor, the evaluator, on the basis of the original or any further investigation, shall find that the person is or is not suited to be an adoptive parent. The evaluator shall support the finding with a written explanation. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-205
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-205. Filing and copies of preplacement evaluation

§ 2-205. Filing and copies of preplacement evaluation|(a) If a preplacement evaluation contains a finding that a person is suited to be an adoptive parent, the evaluator shall give the person a signed copy of the evaluation. At the person's request, the evaluator shall furnish a copy of the evaluation to a person authorized under this title to place a minor for adoption and, unless the person requests otherwise, edit the copy to exclude identifying information.(b) If a preplacement evaluation contains a finding that a person is not suited to be an adoptive parent of any minor, or a particular minor, the evaluator shall immediately give a signed copy of the evaluation to the person and to the Department. The Department shall retain for 10 years the copy and a copy of any court order concerning the evaluation issued pursuant to section 2-206 or 2-207 of this title.(c) An evaluator shall retain for two years the original of a completed or incomplete preplacement evaluation and a list of every source for each item of information in the evaluation.(d) An evaluator who conducted an evaluation in good faith under this part or under Part 6 of Article 3 of this title is not subject to civil liability for anything contained in the evaluation. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-206
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-206. Review of evaluation

§ 2-206. Review of evaluation|(a) Within 90 days after a person receives a preplacement evaluation with a finding that he or she is not suited to be an adoptive parent, the person may petition the Probate Division of the Superior Court for review of the evaluation.(b) If the court determines that the petitioner has failed to prove suitability by a preponderance of the evidence, it shall order that the petitioner not be permitted to adopt a minor and shall send a copy of the order to the Department to be retained with the copy of the original evaluation. If, at the time of the court's determination, the petitioner has custody of a minor for purposes of adoption, the court shall make an appropriate order for the care and custody of the minor.(c) If the court determines that the petitioner has proved suitability, the court shall find the petitioner suitable to be an adoptive parent and the petitioner may commence or continue a proceeding for adoption of a minor. The court shall send a copy of its order to the Department to be retained with the copy of the original evaluation. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238a, eff. Feb. 1, 2011.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-207
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-207. Action by Department

§ 2-207. Action by Department|If, before a decree of adoption is issued, the Department learns from an evaluator or another person that a minor has been placed for adoption with a person who is the subject of a preplacement evaluation on file with the Department containing a finding of unsuitability, the Department shall immediately review the evaluation and investigate the circumstances of the placement and may request that the person return the minor to the custody of the person who placed the minor or to the Department. If the person refuses to return the minor, the Department shall immediately commence an action or proceeding to remove the minor from the home of the person and, pending a hearing, the court shall make an appropriate order for the care and custody of the minor. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-401
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-401. Persons whose consent to adoption is required

§ 2-401. Persons whose consent to adoption is required|(a) Unless consent is not required or is dispensed with by section 2-402 of this title, in a direct placement of a minor for adoption by a parent or guardian authorized under this title to place the minor, a petition to adopt the minor may be granted only if consent to the adoption has been executed by:  (1) the woman who gave birth to the minor; (2) the biological father identified by the mother or as otherwise known to the court; (3) a man who is or has been married to the woman if the minor was born during the marriage or within 300 days after the marriage was terminated or a court issued a decree of separation; (4) a man who:  (A) was not married to the minor's mother at the time of the child's birth; (B) has acknowledged his paternity of the minor by executing a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity under 15 V.S.A. § 307 or has filed a notice to retain parental rights under section 1-110 of this title; and (C) has demonstrated a commitment to the responsibilities of parenthood by establishing a custodial, personal, or financial relationship with the child, unless he was prevented from demonstrating such commitment or was unable to demonstrate such commitment; and  (5) the minor's guardian if expressly authorized by a court to consent to the minor's adoption; or (6) the current adoptive or other legally recognized mother and father of the minor.   (b) Unless consent is not required under section 2-402 of this title, in a placement of a minor for adoption by an agency authorized under this title to place the minor, a petition to adopt the minor may be granted only if consent to the adoption has been executed by:  (1) the agency that placed the minor for adoption; and (2) a person described in subsection (a) who has not relinquished the minor or had his or her parental rights terminated.   (c) Unless the court dispenses with the minor's consent, a petition to adopt a minor who has attained 14 years of age may be granted only if, in addition to any consent required by subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the minor has executed an informed consent to the adoption. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 3, § 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-402
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-402. Persons whose consent not required

§ 2-402. Persons whose consent not required|(a) Consent to an adoption of a minor is not required of:  (1) a person who has relinquished parental rights or guardianship powers, including the right to consent to adoption, to an agency pursuant to this part of this article; (2) a person whose parental relationship to the minor has been judicially terminated or determined not to exist; (3) a man who has not been married to the woman who gave birth to the minor and who, after the conception of the minor, executes a notarized statement denying paternity or disclaiming any interest in the minor and acknowledging that his statement is irrevocable when executed; (4) the personal representative of a deceased parent's estate; or (5) a parent or other person who has not executed a consent or a relinquishment and who fails to file an answer or make an appearance in a proceeding for adoption or for termination of a parental relationship within the requisite time after service of notice of the proceeding.   (b) The court may dispense with the consent of:  (1) a guardian or an agency whose consent is otherwise required upon a finding that the consent is being withheld unreasonably, contrary to the best interest of a minor adoptee; or (2) a minor adoptee who has attained 14 years of age upon a finding that it is not in the best interest of the minor to require the consent. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-403
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-403. Persons who may relinquish minor

§ 2-403. Persons who may relinquish minor|A parent or guardian whose consent to the adoption of a minor is required by section 2-401 of this title may relinquish to an agency all rights with respect to the minor, including legal and physical custody and the right to consent to the minor's adoption. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-404
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-404. Time and prerequisites for execution of consent or relinquishment

§ 2-404. Time and prerequisites for execution of consent or relinquishment|(a) A parent whose consent to the adoption of a minor is required by section 2-401 of this title may not execute a consent or a relinquishment sooner than 36 hours after the minor is born. A parent who executes a consent or relinquishment may revoke the consent or relinquishment within 21 days after the consent or relinquishment is executed by filing a written notice in the court in which the consent was executed.(b) A guardian may execute a consent to the adoption of a minor or a relinquishment at any time after being authorized by a court to do so.(c) An agency that places a minor for adoption may execute its consent at any time before or during the hearing on the petition for adoption.(d) A minor adoptee whose consent is required may execute a consent at any time at or before the hearing on the petition for adoption.(e) Before executing a consent or relinquishment, a parent shall have been informed of the meaning and consequences of adoption, the availability of personal and legal counseling, the consequences of misidentifying the other parent, the procedure for releasing information about the health and other characteristics of the parent which may affect the physical or psychological well-being of the adoptee, and the procedure for the release of the parent's identity pursuant to Article 6 of this title. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
15 V.S.A. § 2-407
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 15A - Adoption Act|Chapter 2 - Adoption of Minors|§ 2-407. Consequences of consent or relinquishment

§ 2-407. Consequences of consent or relinquishment|(a) Except under a circumstance stated in section 2-408 of this title, a consent to the adoption of a minor, which consent is executed by a parent or guardian in substantial compliance with sections 2-405 and 2-406 of this title, is final and irrevocable 21 days after execution, and:  (1) unless a court orders otherwise to protect the welfare of the minor, entitles the prospective adoptive parent named or described in the consent to the legal and physical custody of the minor, and imposes on that person responsibility for the support and medical and other care of the minor; (2) terminates any responsibility of a parent who executed the consent with respect to the minor, including child support (except for arrearages) upon filing the consent with the Family Division of the Superior Court that entered the child support order and notifying the office of child support; and (3) terminates any right of a parent or guardian who executed the consent to object to the minor's adoption by the prospective adoptive parent unless otherwise provided in the consent.   (b) Except under a circumstance stated in section 2-409 of this title, a relinquishment of a minor to an agency executed in substantial compliance with sections 2-405 and 2-406 is final and irrevocable 21 days after it is executed, and:  (1) unless a court orders otherwise to protect the welfare of the minor, entitles the agency to the legal custody of the minor until a decree of adoption becomes final; (2) empowers the agency to:  (A) place the minor for adoption; (B) consent to the minor's adoption; and (C) delegate to a prospective adoptive parent responsibility for the support and medical and other care of the minor;  (3) terminates any responsibility of the person who executed the relinquishment with respect to the minor, including child support (except for arrearages) upon filing the relinquishment with the Family Division of the Superior Court that entered the child support order notifying the office of child support; and (4) terminates any right of the person who executed the relinquishment to object to the minor's adoption and, unless otherwise provided in the relinquishment, any right to notice of the proceeding for adoption. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2009, No. 154, § 238.)