reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
DC Code § 16-101 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 1 - Account|§ 16-101. Parties

An action of account shall and may be brought against the executor and administrator of every guardian, bailiff and receiver; and by one joint-tenant and tenant in common, his executors and administrators, against the other, as bailiff for receiving more than comes to his just share or proportion, and against the executor and administrator of such a joint-tenant or tenant in common.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-101. 1973 Ed., § 16-101. Cross References Adoption subsidy payments, see § 4-301. Editor's Notes Section 28(a) of D.C. Law 15-354 provided that Title 16 is designated Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code.
DC Code § 16-301 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-301. Jurisdiction; rules

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions and decrees of adoption of any adult or child with authority to make such rules, not inconsistent with this chapter, as shall bring fully before the court for consideration the interests of the prospective adoptee, the natural parents, the petitioner, and any other properly interested party. (b) Jurisdiction shall be conferred when any of the following circumstances exist: (1) petitioner is a legal resident of the District of Columbia; (2) petitioner has actually resided in the District for at least one year next preceding the filing of the petition; (3) the child to be adopted is in the legal care, custody, or control of the Mayor or a child-placing agency licensed under the laws of the District; or (4) the child to be adopted was born in the District of Columbia. (c) The jurisdiction conferred upon the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by subsection (b)(4) of this section shall apply retroactively to all children born in the District of Columbia on or after July 18, 2009.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(1); Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(a), 35 DCR 147; Mar. 19, 2013, D.C. Law 19-233, § 2, 59 DCR 14769.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-301. 1973 Ed., § 16-301. Section References This section is referenced in § 16-4601.02. Effect of Amendments The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-233 added (b)(4); added (c); and made related changes. Cross References Exclusive adoption jurisdiction, see § 11-1101.
DC Code § 16-302 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-302. Persons who may adopt

Any person may petition the court for a decree of adoption. A petition may not be considered by the court unless petitioner’s spouse, if he has one, joins in the petition, except that if either the husband or wife is a natural parent of the prospective adoptee, the natural parent need not join in the petition with the adopting parent, but need only give his or her consent to the adoption. If the marital status of the petitioner changes after the time of filing the petition and before the time the decree of adoption is final, the petition must be amended accordingly.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-302. 1973 Ed., § 16-302.
DC Code § 16-303 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-303. Persons adopted

A person, whether a minor or an adult, may be adopted.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-303. 1973 Ed., § 16-303.
DC Code § 16-305 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-305. Petition for adoption

A petition filed for the adoption of a person shall be under oath or affirmation of the petitioner and the titling thereof shall be substantially as follows: “Ex parte in the matter of the petition of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for adoption.” The petition or the exhibits annexed thereto shall contain the following information: (1) the name, sex, date, and place of birth of the prospective adoptee, and the names, addresses and residences of the natural parents, if known to the petitioner, except that in an adoption proceeding that is consented to by the Mayor or a licensed child-placing agency, the names, addresses and residences of the natural parents may not be set forth; (2) the name, address, age, business or employment of the petitioner, and the name of the employer, if any, of the petitioner; (3) the relationship, if any, of the prospective adoptee to the petitioner; (4) the race and religion of the prospective adoptee, or his natural parent or parents; (5) the race and religion of the petitioner; (6) the date that the prospective adoptee commenced residing with petitioner; and (7) any change of name which may be desired. When any of the above facts is unknown to the petitioner, the petitioner shall state this fact. When any of the above facts is known to the Mayor, or a licensed child-placing agency that as a matter of social policy declines to disclose them to the petitioner, the facts may be disclosed to the court in an exhibit filed by the Mayor or the agency with the court. If more than one petitioner joins in a petition, the requirements of this section apply to each.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 538, Pub. L. 88-24, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(2); Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(c), 35 DCR 147.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-305. 1973 Ed., § 16-305. Section References This section is referenced in § 4-1305.03 and § 16-308.
DC Code § 16-306 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-306. Notice of adoption proceedings

(a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, due notice of pending adoption proceedings shall be given to each person whose consent is necessary thereto, immediately upon the filing of a petition. The notice shall be given by summons, by registered letter sent to the addressee only, or otherwise as ordered by the court. (b) A party who formally gives his consent to the proposed adoption, as provided by this chapter, thereby waives the requirement of notice to him pursuant to this section.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 539, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-306. 1973 Ed., § 16-306. Section References This section is referenced in § 16-4603.09 and § 23-581.
DC Code § 16-307 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-307. Investigation, report, and recommendation

(a) Except as provided by section 16-308, upon the filing of a petition the court shall refer the petition for investigation, report, and recommendation to: (1) the licensed child-placing agency by which the case is supervised; or (2) the Mayor, if the case is not supervised by a licensed child-placing agency. (b) The investigation, report, and recommendation shall include: (1) an investigation of: (A) the truth of the allegations of the petition; (B) the environment, antecedents, and assets, if any, of the prospective adoptee, to determine whether he is a proper subject for adoption; (C) the home of the petitioner, to determine whether the home is a suitable one for the prospective adoptee; and (D) any other circumstances and conditions that may have a bearing on the proposed adoption and of which the court should have knowledge, including the existence and terms of a tentative adoption subsidy agreement entered into prior to the filing of the adoption petition under section 3 of the Act of July 26, 1892 (§ 4-301). (2) a written report to the court of the findings of the investigation; and (3) a recommendation to the court whether a final decree declaring the adoption prayed for in the petition should be immediately granted, or whether the court should grant an interlocutory decree granting temporary custody of the prospective adoptee to the petitioner, as hereinafter set forth. (c) The written report submitted to the court shall be filed with, and become part of, the records in the case.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 539, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(2); Jan. 2, 1974, 87 Stat. 1061, Pub. L. 93-241, § 2(a); Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(d), 35 DCR 147.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-307. 1973 Ed., § 16-307. Section References This section is referenced in § 4-342 and § 16-309. Emergency Legislation For temporary provisions requiring, on an emergency basis, criminal background investigations for individuals residing in foster family homes or other homes in which children are placed by order, see § 2-15 of the Criminal Background Investigation for the Protection of Children Emergency act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-431, August 6, 1998, 45 DCR 5915) and § 2-11 of the Criminal Background Investigation for the Protection of Children Legislative Review Emergency Act of 1998 (D.C Act 12-505, November 20, 1998, 45 DCR 8134).
DC Code § 16-308 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-308. Investigations when prospective adoptee is adult or petitioner is spouse or domestic partner of natural parent

(a) The court may dispense with the investigation, report, and interlocutory decree provided for by this chapter when: (1) The prospective adoptee is an adult; or (2) The petitioner is a spouse or domestic partner of the natural parent of the prospective adoptee and the natural parents consents to the adoption or joins in the petition for adoption. (b) In the circumstances specified in subsection (a)(2) of this section, the petition need not contain the information concerning race and religion as specified in § 16-305(4) and (5). (c) For the purposes of this section, the term “domestic partner” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 32-701(3), but shall exclude a domestic partner who is the parent, grandparent, sibling, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt, or uncle of the natural parent. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to waive the requirements of §§ 4-1305.01 through 4-1305.09, including the requirement of a fingerprint-based criminal records check.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 539, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; Oct. 30, 1975, D.C. Law 1-25, § 3, 22 DCR 2465; July 18, 2008, D.C. Law 18-33, § 3(a), 56 DCR 4269; Sept. 11, 2009, D.C. Law 18-47, § 3, 56 DCR 4960.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-308. 1973 Ed., § 16-308. Section References This section is referenced in § 16-307. Effect of Amendments D.C. Law 18-33 rewrote the section. D.C. Law 18-47 rewrote the section. Emergency Legislation For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-232, December 27, 2007, 55 DCR 233). For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Act 17-317, March 19, 2008, 55 DCR 3415). For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Continuing Compliance Emergency Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Act 17-559, October 27, 2008, 55 DCR 12010). For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Continuing Compliance Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-2, January 23, 2009, 56 DCR 1622). Temporary Legislation For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of the Adoption and Safe Families Temporary Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Law 17-133, March 26, 2008, law notification 55 DCR 4464). For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of the Safe families Continuing Compliance Temporary Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Law 17-297, March 20, 2009, law notification 56 DCR 3008).
DC Code § 16-310 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-310. Finality of decrees of adoption

An attempt to invalidate a final decree of adoption by reason of a jurisdictional or procedural defect may not be received by any court of the District, unless regularly filed with the court within one year following the date the final decree became effective.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 540, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-310. 1973 Ed., § 16-310.
DC Code § 16-311 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-311. Sealing and inspection of records and papers

From and after the filing of the petition, records and papers in adoption proceedings shall be sealed. They may not be inspected by any person, including the parties to the proceeding, except upon order of the court, and only then when the court is satisfied that the welfare of the child will thereby be promoted or protected. Such records and papers shall, upon written application to the court, be unsealed and provided to the Child Fatality Review Committee or the Violence Fatality Review Committee for inspection if the adoptee is deceased and inspection of the records and papers is necessary for the discharge of the relevant Committee's official duties. The clerk of the court shall keep a separate docket for adoption proceedings.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; Oct. 3, 2001, D.C. Law 14-28, § 4620(a), 48 DCR 6981; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 3052(a), 65 DCR 9388.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-311. 1973 Ed., § 16-311. Effect of Amendments D.C. Law 14-28 inserted “Such records and papers shall, upon written application to the court, be unsealed and provided to the Child Fatality Review Committee for inspection if the adoptee is deceased and inspection of the records and papers is necessary for the discharge of the Committee’s official duties.” after “promoted and protected.” Emergency Legislation  For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3052(a) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).   For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3052(a) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).  For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 20(a) of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Emergency Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-40, April 25, 2001, 48 DCR 5917). For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 20(a) of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Legislative Review Emergency Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-82, July 9, 2001, 48 DCR 6355). Temporary Legislation For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 20(a) of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Temporary Act of 2001 (D.C. Law 14-20, September 6, 2001, law notification 48 DCR 9090).
DC Code § 16-312 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-312. Legal effects of adoption

(a) A final decree of adoption establishes the relationship of natural parent and natural child between adopter and adoptee for all purposes, including mutual rights of inheritance and succession as if adoptee were born to adopter. The adoptee takes from, through, and as a representative of his adoptive parent or parents in the same manner as a child by birth, and upon the death of an adoptee intestate, his property shall pass and be distributed in the same manner as if the adoptee had been born to the adopting parent or parents in lawful wedlock. All rights and duties including those of inheritance and succession between the adoptee, his natural parents, their issue, collateral relatives, and so forth, are cut off, except that when one of the natural parents is the spouse of the adopter, the rights and relations as between adoptee, that natural parent, and his parents and collateral relatives, including mutual rights of inheritance and succession, are in no wise altered. (b) While it is in force, an interlocutory decree of adoption has the same legal effect as a final decree of adoption. Upon the revocation of an interlocutory decree of adoption, the status of the adoptee, the natural parents of the adoptee, and the petitioners are as though the interlocutory decree were null and void ab initio. (c) The family name of the adoptee shall be changed to that of the adopter unless the decree otherwise provides, and the given name of the adoptee may be fixed or changed at the same time.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; Mar. 24, 1998, D.C. Law 12-81, § 10(b), 45 DCR 745.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-312. 1973 Ed., § 16-312.
DC Code § 16-313 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-313. Child as including adopted person

In the District, “child” or its equivalent in a deed, grant, will, or other written instrument includes an adopted person, unless the contrary plainly appears by the terms thereof, whether the instrument was executed before or after the entry of the interlocutory decree of adoption, if any, or before or after the final decree of adoption became effective.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-313. 1973 Ed., § 16-313.
DC Code § 16-314 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-314. Birth certificates

(a) Upon the issuance of a final decree of adoption, an adoption form shall be sent to the Registrar pursuant to [Chapter 2A of Title 7]. Unless otherwise requested in the petition by the adopters, the Registrar shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the new name with the names of the adopters and shall then cause the original birth certificate and the order of the Court to be sealed and filed. The sealed package may be opened only by order of the Court or by the Registrar to properly administer [Chapter 2A of Title 7]. (b) If the adoption occurred outside the District either before or after August 25, 1937, a new certificate of birth shall be made pursuant to [§ 7-231.21]. The Registrar shall seal the original birth certificate. The sealed original birth certificate may be opened only by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by the Registrar to properly administer [[Chapter 2A of Title 7]]. (c) If the birth of the adoptee occurred outside the District the clerk of the court shall, upon petition by the adopter, furnish him with a certified copy of the final decree of adoption. (c-1) If the birth of the adoptee occurred outside of the United States, a new certificate of birth shall be made pursuant to [§ 7-231.21]. (d) When an adoption in the District occurred prior to August 25, 1937, the court shall, upon presentation of a motion by a party to the proceedings, order the clerk of the court to seal the records in the proceeding. Upon presentation of a certified copy of the order the Mayor shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the new name and with the names of the adopters and shall then cause to be sealed and filed the original birth certificate with the order of the court. The sealed package may be opened only by order of the court.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(2); Oct. 8, 1981, D.C. Law 4-34,§ 29(f), 28 DCR 3271; Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(e), 35 DCR 147; May 21, 1992, D.C. Law 9-101, § 2, 39 DCR 2146; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-164, § 203(b), 65 DCR 9324.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-314. 1973 Ed., § 16-314. Section References This section is referenced in § 7-210. Cross References New birth certificates, see § 7-210. References in Text The “Vital Records Act of 1981,” referred to throughout subsections (a), (b), and (c-1), is D.C. Law 4-34. Section 11 of the Act is codified at § 7-210.
DC Code § 16-315 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-315. Prior proceedings

The provisions of this chapter have no effect prior to June 8, 1954, except to the extent that they specifically so provide. They do not affect in any way the rights and relations obtained by any decree of adoption entered prior to June 8, 1954.  (Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 542, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)  Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 16-315. 1973 Ed., § 16-315.
DC Code § 16-316 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]|Chapter 3 - Adoption|§ 16-316. Appointment and compensation of counsel; guardian ad litem

(a) When a petition for adoption has been filed and there has been no termination or relinquishment of parental rights with respect to the proposed adoptee or consent to the proposed adoption by a parent or guardian whose consent is required under [section 16-304], the Court may appoint an attorney to represent such parent or guardian in the adoption proceeding if the individual is financially unable to obtain adequate representation. (b) The Court may appoint a guardian ad litem who is an attorney to represent the child in an adoption proceeding. The guardian ad litem shall in general be charged with the representation of the child’s best interest. (c) An attorney appointed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be compensated in accordance with [section 16-2326.01], except that compensation in the adoption case shall be subject to the limitation set forth in [section 16-2326.01(b)(2)].  (Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 141, Pub. L. 108-199, § 435.)