reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
23 PA Cons Stat § 2102 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 21 - Preliminary Provisions|Section 2102 - Definitions

§ 2102. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this part shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:  "Adoptee." An individual proposed to be adopted.  "Agency." Any incorporated or unincorporated organization, society, institution or other entity, public or voluntary, which may receive or provide for the care of children, supervised by the Department of Public Welfare and providing adoption services in accordance with standards established by the department.  "Clerk." The clerk of the division of the court of common pleas having jurisdiction over voluntary relinquishment, involuntary termination and adoption proceedings.  "Court." The court of common pleas.  "Intermediary." Any person or persons or agency acting between the parent or parents and the proposed adoptive parent or parents in arranging an adoption placement.  "Medical history information." Medical records and other information concerning an adoptee or an adoptee's natural family which is relevant to the adoptee's present or future health care or medical treatment. The term includes:  (1) otherwise confidential or privileged information provided that identifying contents have been removed pursuant to section 2909 (relating to medical history information); and  (2) information about the natural parents which may be relevant to a potential hereditary or congenital medical problem.  "Newborn child." A child who is six months of age or younger at the time of the filing of any petition pursuant to Chapter 25 (relating to proceedings prior to petition to adopt).  "Parent." Includes adoptive parent.  (June 23, 1982, P.L.617, No.174, eff. 60 days; May 21, 1992, P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 1995, P.L.685, No.76, eff. 60 days)    1995 Amendment. Act 76 amended the def. of "medical history information."  1992 Amendment. Act 34 added the def. of "newborn child."  References in Text. Section 2909, referred to in this section, is repealed. The subject matter is now contained in section 2934 of this title.  The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2301 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 23 - Jurisdiction and Parties|Section 2301 - Court

§ 2301. Court. The court of common pleas of each county shall exercise through the appropriate division original jurisdiction over voluntary relinquishment, involuntary termination and adoption proceedings.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2302 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 23 - Jurisdiction and Parties|Section 2302 - Venue

§ 2302. Venue. Proceedings for voluntary relinquishment, involuntary termination and adoption may be brought in the court of the county:  (1) Where the parent or parents or the adoptee or the person or persons who have filed a report of intention to adopt required by section 2531 (relating to report of intention to adopt) reside.  (2) In which is located an office of an agency having custody of the adoptee or in the county where the agency having placed the adoptee is located.  (3) With leave of court, in which the adoptee formerly resided.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2311 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 23 - Jurisdiction and Parties|Section 2311 - Who may be adopted

§ 2311. Who may be adopted. Any individual may be adopted, regardless of his age or residence.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2312 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 23 - Jurisdiction and Parties|Section 2312 - Who may adopt

§ 2312. Who may adopt. Any individual may become an adopting parent.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2313 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 23 - Jurisdiction and Parties|Section 2313 - Representation

§ 2313. Representation. (a) Child.--The court shall appoint counsel to represent the child in an involuntary termination proceeding when the proceeding is being contested by one or both of the parents. The court may appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem to represent any child who has not reached the age of 18 years and is subject to any other proceeding under this part whenever it is in the best interests of the child. No attorney or law firm shall represent both the child and the adopting parent or parents.  (a.1) Parent.--The court shall appoint counsel for a parent whose rights are subject to termination in an involuntary termination proceeding if, upon petition of the parent, the court determines that the parent is unable to pay for counsel or if payment would result in substantial financial hardship.  (b) Payment of costs.--The court, in its discretion, may order all or part of the costs attendant to a proceeding under this part to be paid by the county wherein the case is heard, the adopting parents or apportioned to both, provided that if the adopting parents shall be ordered to bear all or a portion of the costs of this part that:  (1) the court may direct that the payment of the fees or a portion thereof may be paid by a court ordered schedule of payments extending beyond the date of the involuntary termination hearing; and  (2) the fee shall not exceed $150.  (June 23, 1982, P.L.617, No.174, eff. 60 days; May 21, 1992, P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days)
23 PA Cons Stat § 2501 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2501 - Relinquishment to agency

§ 2501. Relinquishment to agency. (a) Petition.--When any child under the age of 18 years has been in the care of an agency for a minimum period of three days or, whether or not the agency has the physical care of the child, the agency has received a written notice of the present intent to transfer to it custody of the child, executed by the parent, the parent or parents of the child may petition the court for permission to relinquish forever all parental rights and duties with respect to their child.  (b) Consents.--The written consent of a parent or guardian of a petitioner who has not reached 18 years of age shall not be required. The consent of the agency to accept custody of the child until such time as the child is adopted shall be required.    Cross References. Section 2501 is referred to in sections 2503, 2521 of this title.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2502 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2502 - Relinquishment to adult intending to adopt child

§ 2502. Relinquishment to adult intending to adopt child. (a) Petition.--When any child under the age of 18 years has been for a minimum period of three days in the exclusive care of an adult or adults who have filed a report of intention to adopt required by section 2531 (relating to report of intention to adopt), the parent or parents of the child may petition the court for permission to relinquish forever all parental rights to their child.  (b) Consents.--The written consent of a parent or guardian of a petitioner who has not reached 18 years of age shall not be required. The adult or adults having care of the child shall file a separate consent to accept custody of the child.   (Mar. 24, 2004, P.L.159, No.21, eff. 60 days)   2004 Amendment. Act 21 amended subsec. (a). Section 2 of Act 21 provided that the amendment of subsec. (a) shall apply to adoptions which are initiated on or after the effective date of section 2.  Cross References. Section 2502 is referred to in sections 2503, 2521 of this title.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2504.1 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2504.1 - Confidentiality

§ 2504.1. Confidentiality. The court shall take such steps as are reasonably necessary to assure that the identity of the adoptive parent or parents is not disclosed without their consent in any proceeding under this subchapter or Subchapter B (relating to involuntary termination). The Supreme Court may prescribe uniform rules under this section relating to such confidentiality.   (May 21, 1992, P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days)   1992 Amendment. Act 34 added section 2504.1.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2512 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2512 - Petition for involuntary termination

§ 2512. Petition for involuntary termination. (a) Who may file.--A petition to terminate parental rights with respect to a child under the age of 18 years may be filed by any of the following:  (1) Either parent when termination is sought with respect to the other parent. (2) An agency. (3) The individual having custody or standing in loco parentis to the child and who has filed a report of intention to adopt required by section 2531 (relating to report of intention to adopt).  (4) An attorney representing a child or a guardian ad litem representing a child who has been adjudicated dependent under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6341(c) (relating to adjudication).  (b) Contents.--The following apply:  (1) The petition shall set forth specifically those grounds and facts alleged as the basis for terminating parental rights.  (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the petition filed under this section shall also contain an averment that the petitioner will assume custody of the child until such time as the child is adopted.  (3) If the petitioner is a parent and section 2514 (relating to special provisions when child conceived as a result of rape or incest) applies, or if the petitioner is an agency, the petitioner shall not be required to aver that an adoption is presently contemplated nor that a person with a present intention to adopt exists.  (c) Father not identified.--If the petition does not identify the father of the child, it shall state whether a claim of paternity has been filed under section 8303 (relating to claim of paternity).  (Dec. 20, 1995, P.L.685, No.76, eff. 60 days; Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.780, No.95, eff. 60 days)    2020 Amendment. Act 95 amended subsec. (b). Section 3 of Act 95 provided that the amendment or addition of subsec. (b) and section 2514 apply to petitions to involuntarily terminate parental rights filed on or after the effective date of section 3.  1995 Amendment. Act 76 added subsec. (a)(4).  References in Text. Former section 8303, referred to in this section, is repealed. The subject matter is now contained in section 5103.  Cross References. Section 2512 is referred to in sections 2513, 2521 of this title.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2513 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2513 - Hearing

§ 2513. Hearing. (a) Time.--The court shall fix a time for hearing on a petition filed under section 2512 (relating to petition for involuntary termination) which shall be not less than ten days after filing of the petition.  (b) Notice.--At least ten days' notice shall be given to the parent or parents, putative father, or parent of a minor parent whose rights are to be terminated, by personal service or by registered mail to his or their last known address or by such other means as the court may require. A copy of the notice shall be given in the same manner to the other parent, putative father or parent or guardian of a minor parent whose rights are to be terminated. A putative father shall include one who has filed a claim of paternity as provided in section 5103 (relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity) prior to the institution of proceedings. The notice shall state the following:  "A petition has been filed asking the court to put an end to all rights you have to your child (insert name of child). The court has set a hearing to consider ending your rights to your child. That hearing will be held in (insert place, giving reference to exact room and building number or designation) on (insert date) at (insert time). You are warned that even if you fail to appear at the scheduled hearing, the hearing will go on without you and your rights to your child may be ended by the court without your being present. You have a right to be represented at the hearing by a lawyer. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below to find out where you can get legal help.   (Name)   (Address)   ________________________________________   (Telephone number)"  (c) Mother competent witness on paternity issue.--The natural mother shall be a competent witness as to whether the presumptive or putative father is the natural father of the child.  (d) Decree.--After hearing, which may be private, the court shall make a finding relative to the pertinent provisions of section 2511 (relating to grounds for involuntary termination) and upon such finding may enter a decree of termination of parental rights.   (June 23, 1982, P.L.617, No.174, eff. 60 days; May 21, 1992, P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days)    1992 Amendment. Act 34 amended subsec. (b).  Cross References. Section 2513 is referred to in sections 2504, 2714 of this title.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2514 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2514 - Special provisions when child conceived as a result of rape or incest

§ 2514. Special provisions when child conceived as a result of rape or incest. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when a petition has been filed by a parent seeking to involuntarily terminate parental rights of the other parent under section 2511(a)(7) (relating to grounds for involuntary termination), the following apply:  (1) The petitioner shall not be required to aver that: (i) the petitioner will assume custody of the child until such time as the child is adopted; (ii) adoption is presently contemplated; or (iii) a person with a present intention to adopt exists. (2) Parental rights shall be terminated if all other legal requirements have been met. (Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.780, No.95, eff. 60 days)   2020 Amendment. Act 95 added section 2514. Section 3 of Act 95 provided that the amendment or addition of sections 2512(b) and 2514 apply to petitions to involuntarily terminate parental rights filed on or after the effective date of section 3.  Cross References. Section 2514 is referred to in section 2512 of this title.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2521 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2521 - Effect of decree of termination

§ 2521. Effect of decree of termination. (a) Adoption proceeding rights extinguished.--A decree terminating all rights of a parent or a decree terminating all rights and duties of a parent entered by a court of competent jurisdiction shall extinguish the power or the right of the parent to object to or receive notice of adoption proceedings.  (b) Award of custody.--The decree shall award custody of the child to the agency or the person consenting to accept custody under section 2501 (relating to relinquishment to agency) or section 2502 (relating to relinquishment to adult intending to adopt child) or the petitioner in the case of a proceeding under section 2512 (relating to petition for involuntary termination).  (c) Authority of agency or person receiving custody.--An agency or person receiving custody of a child shall stand in loco parentis to the child and in such capacity shall have the authority, inter alia, to consent to marriage, to enlistment in the armed forces and to major medical, psychiatric and surgical treatment and to exercise such other authority concerning the child as a natural parent could exercise.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2530 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2530 - Home study and preplacement report

§ 2530. Home study and preplacement report. (a) General rule.--No intermediary shall place a child in the physical care or custody of a prospective adoptive parent or parents unless a home study containing a favorable recommendation for placement of a child with the prospective parent or parents has been completed within three years prior thereto and which has been supplemented within one year prior thereto. The home study shall be conducted by a local public child-care agency, an adoption agency or a licensed social worker designated by the court to perform such study.  (b) Preplacement report.--A preplacement report shall be prepared by the agency or person conducting the home study.  (1) The preplacement report shall set forth all pertinent information relating to the fitness of the adopting parents as parents.  (2) The preplacement report shall be based upon a study which shall include an investigation of the home environment, family life, parenting skills, age, physical and mental health, social, cultural and religious background, facilities and resources of the adoptive parents and their ability to manage their resources. The preplacement report shall also include the information required by section 6344(b) (relating to employees having contact with children; adoptive and foster parents).  (3) The preplacement report shall include a determination regarding the fitness of the adopting parents as parents.  (4) The preplacement report shall be dated and verified. (c) Interim placement.--Where a home study required under this section is in process, but not yet completed, an intermediary may place a child in the physical care or custody of a prospective adoptive parent or parents if all of the following conditions are met:  (1) The intermediary has no reason to believe that the prospective adoptive parent or parents would not receive a favorable recommendation for placement as a result of the home study.  (2) The individual or agency conducting the home study assents to the interim placement. (3) The intermediary immediately notifies the court of the interim placement and the identity of the individual or agency conducting the home study. If at any time prior to the completion of the home study the court is notified by the individual or agency conducting the home study that it withdraws its assent to the interim placement, the court may order the placement of the child in temporary foster care with an agency until a favorable recommendation for placement is received.  (May 21, 1992, P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days; Oct. 22, 2014, P.L.2529, No.153, eff. Dec. 31, 2014)    2014 Amendment. Act 153 amended subsec. (b)(2).  1992 Amendment. Act 34 added section 2530.  Cross References. Section 2530 is referred to in sections 2531, 2701 of this title.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2531 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2531 - Report of intention to adopt

§ 2531. Report of intention to adopt. (a) General rule.--Every person now having or hereafter receiving or retaining custody or physical care of any child for the purpose or with the intention of adopting a child under the age of 18 years shall report to the court in which the petition for adoption will be filed.  (b) Contents.--The report shall set forth:  (1) The circumstances surrounding the persons receiving or retaining custody or physical care of the child, including the date upon which a preplacement investigation was concluded.  (2) The name, sex, racial background, age, date and place of birth and religious affiliation of the child.  (3) The name and address of the intermediary. (4) An itemized accounting of moneys and consideration paid or to be paid to the intermediary. (5) Whether the parent or parents whose parental rights are to be terminated have received counseling with respect to the termination and the alternatives thereto. If so, the report shall state the dates on which the counseling was provided and the name and address of the counselor or agency which provided the counseling.  (6) The name, address and signature of the person or persons making the report. Immediately above the signature of the person or persons intending to adopt the child shall appear the following statement:  I acknowledge that I have been advised or know and understand that the birth father or putative father may revoke the consent to the adoption of this child within 30 days after the later of the birth of the child or the date he has executed the consent to an adoption and that the birth mother may revoke the consent to an adoption of this child within 30 days after the date she has executed the consent.  (7) A copy of the preplacement report prepared pursuant to section 2530 (relating to home study and preplacement report).  When a person receives or retains custody or physical care of a child from an agency, the report shall set forth only the name and address of the agency, the circumstances surrounding such person receiving or retaining custody or physical care of the child and a copy of the preplacement report prepared pursuant to section 2530.  (c) When report not required.--No report shall be required when the child is the child, grandchild, stepchild, brother or sister of the whole or half blood, or niece or nephew by blood, marriage or adoption of the person receiving or retaining custody or physical care.  (June 23, 1982, P.L.617, No.174, eff. 60 days; May 21, 1992, P.L.228, No.34, eff. 60 days; Mar. 24, 2004, P.L.159, No.21, eff. 60 days)    2004 Amendment. Act 21 amended subsec. (b)(6). Section 2 of Act 21 provided that the amendment of subsec. (b)(6) shall apply to adoptions which are initiated on or after the effective date of section 2.  1992 Amendment. Act 34 amended subsec. (b).  Cross References. Section 2531 is referred to in sections 2302, 2502, 2505, 2512, 2532, 2535, 2701 of this title.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2532 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2532 - Filing of report

§ 2532. Filing of report. The report required by section 2531 (relating to report of intention to adopt) shall be filed within 30 days after the date of receipt of the custody or physical care of the child.
23 PA Cons Stat § 2534 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS|Chapter 25 - Proceedings Prior to Petition to Adopt|Section 2534 - Exhibits

§ 2534. Exhibits. The report of the intermediary shall have attached to it the following exhibits: (1) A birth certificate or certification of registration of birth of the child if it can be obtained.  (2) All consents to adoption required by section 2711 (relating to consents necessary to adoption).  (3) A certified copy of any decree of termination of parental rights or parental rights and duties made by a court other than the court in which the petition for adoption will be filed.    Cross References. Section 2534 is referred to in section 2702 of this title.