reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-39.3 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-39.3 - Request for certain information.

9:3-39.3 Request for certain information.  8. a. An authorized requester may request the adoption facilitator that placed the child for adoption or conducted an investigation pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-48) to provide any available non-identifying family medical history information concerning the adopted person contained in that person's confidential case records maintained by the adoption facilitator. b. Upon receipt of a request pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the adoption facilitator shall provide the requester with a detailed summary of any available non-identifying family medical history information concerning the adopted person contained in that person's confidential case records. c. If the requester is unable to obtain any available non-identifying family medical history information pursuant to subsection b. of this section because the adoption facilitator is unknown, in order to accommodate the request, the requester may petition the court that granted the adoption to identify the adoption facilitator, if possible.  L.2014, c.9, s.8.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40 - Qualification of agencies for approval.

9:3-40 Qualification of agencies for approval.  4. The Commissioner of Children and Families shall promulgate rules and regulations relating to the qualification of agencies for approval to make placements for adoption in New Jersey. The rules and regulations shall include, but shall not be limited to, standards of professional training and experience of staff, requirements relating to responsibilities and the character of trustees, officers or other persons supervising or conducting the placement for adoption program, adequacy of facilities, maintenance and confidentiality of casework records and furnishing of reports. The requirements relating to the character of trustees, officers or other persons supervising or conducting the placement for adoption program at the agency shall include a prohibition on engaging in, or the permitting of, any conduct that is deemed inappropriate to the purposes of the agency. In the selection of adoptive parents the standard shall be the best interests of the child; and an approved agency shall not discriminate with regard to the selection of adoptive parents for any child on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion or marital status provided, however, that these factors may be considered in determining whether the best interests of a child would be served by a particular placement for adoption or adoption. L.1977, c.367, s.4; amended 1993, c.345, s.2; 2003, c.11, s.1; 2006, c.47, s.35.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.1 - Denial, suspension, revocation, refusal to renew agency's certificate on character requisites.

9:3-40.1 Denial, suspension, revocation, refusal to renew agency's certificate on character requisites.  2. The Department of Children and Families may deny, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew an adoption agency's certificate of approval if the agency is in violation of the requirements relating to the character of trustees, officers or other persons supervising or conducting a placement for adoption program established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-40).  L.2003, c.11, s.2; amended 2006, c.47, s.36.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.2 - Definitions relative to adoption agencies.

9:3-40.2 Definitions relative to adoption agencies.  1. As used in this act: "Approved agency" or "agency" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 2 of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-38); "Department" means the Department of Children and Families; "Staff member" means a person 18 years of age or older who is an administrator of an agency, or who works in an agency on a regularly scheduled basis during the agency's operating hours. Staff member includes full-time, part-time, voluntary, contract, consulting, and substitute staff, whether compensated or not. L.2008, c.114, s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.3 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.3 - Criminal history record background check for staff members of adoption agency.

9:3-40.3 Criminal history record background check for staff members of adoption agency.  2. a. As a condition of securing or maintaining approval by the Department of Children and Families as an adoption agency, the administrator of an agency shall ensure that a criminal history record background check is conducted on each staff member of the agency. b. If the administrator of an agency refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing of a criminal history record background check, the department shall suspend, deny, revoke or refuse to renew the agency's approval as an adoption agency, as appropriate. c. If a staff member of an agency, other than the administrator, refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing of a criminal history record background check, the individual shall be immediately terminated from employment at the agency. d. The cost of a criminal history record background check conducted pursuant to this act shall be paid by the agency. L.2008, c.114, s.2.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.4 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.4 - Request for criminal history record background check by agency.

9:3-40.4 Request for criminal history record background check by agency.  3. a. In the case of an adoption agency established after the effective date of this act, the administrator of the agency, prior to the agency's opening, shall ensure that a request for a criminal history record background check on each staff member is sent to the department for processing by the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A staff member shall not be left alone as the only adult accompanying a child until the staff member's criminal history record background check has been reviewed by the department pursuant to this act. b. In the case of an adoption agency approved prior to the effective date of this act, the administrator of the agency shall ensure that a request for a criminal history record background check on each staff member is submitted to the department within 60 days of the effective date of this act for processing by the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. c. Within two weeks after a new staff member begins employment at an approved agency, the administrator of the agency shall ensure that a request for a criminal history record background check on the new staff member is submitted to the department for processing by the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A new staff member shall not be left alone as the only adult accompanying a child until the staff member's criminal history record background check has been reviewed by the department pursuant to this act. L.2008, c.114, s.3.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.6 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.6 - Convincing evidence of rehabilitation.

9:3-40.6 Convincing evidence of rehabilitation.  5. a. For crimes and offenses other than those cited in subsections a. and b. of section 4 of this act, a staff member may be eligible for employment at an approved agency if the staff member has affirmatively demonstrated to the department clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation pursuant to subsection b. of this section. b. In determining whether a staff member has affirmatively demonstrated rehabilitation, the following factors shall be considered: (1) the nature and responsibility of the position at the agency that the convicted staff member would hold, has held or currently holds, as the case may be; (2) the nature and seriousness of the offense; (3) the circumstances under which the offense occurred; (4) the date of the offense; (5) the age of the staff member when the offense was committed; (6) whether the offense was an isolated or repeated incident; (7) any social conditions that may have contributed to the offense; and (8) any evidence of rehabilitation, including good conduct in prison or in the community, counseling or psychiatric treatment received, acquisition of additional academic or vocational schooling, successful participation in correctional work-release programs, or the recommendation of those who have had the staff member under their supervision. c. The department shall make the final determination regarding the employment of the administrator of an agency with a criminal conviction specified under this section. d. The administrator of the agency shall make the final determination regarding the employment of a staff member or applicant with a criminal conviction specified under this section. e. If an administrator has knowledge that a staff member has criminal charges pending against the staff member, the administrator shall promptly notify the department to determine whether any action concerning the staff member is necessary. L.2008, c.114, s.5.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.7 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.7 - Immunity from liability relative to disclosure of information by agency.

9:3-40.7 Immunity from liability relative to disclosure of information by agency.  6. a. An approved agency that has received an employment application from an individual, or currently employs a staff member, shall be immune from liability for acting upon or disclosing information about the disqualification or termination of that applicant or staff member to another agency seeking to employ that staff member if the agency has: (1) received notice from the department, that the applicant or staff member has been determined by the department to be disqualified from employment pursuant to this act; or (2) terminated the employment of a staff member because the staff member was disqualified from employment on the basis of a conviction of a crime or disorderly persons offense pursuant to section 4 of this act after commencing employment at the agency. b. An approved agency that acts upon or discloses information pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be presumed to be acting in good faith unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the agency acted with actual malice toward the staff member who is the subject of the information. L.2008, c.114, s.6.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.8 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.8 - Child abuse record information check by agency.

9:3-40.8 Child abuse record information check by agency.  7. a. In addition to the requirement for a criminal history record background check pursuant to section 2 of this act, the administrator of an agency shall request that the department conduct a child abuse record information check of its child abuse records to determine if an incident of child abuse or neglect has been substantiated, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.11), against any staff member of the agency. b. The department shall deny, revoke or refuse to renew the agency's approval, as appropriate, if the department determines that an incident of child abuse or neglect by an administrator of an agency has been substantiated. c. Each staff member of an agency or applicant for employment at the agency shall provide prior written consent for the department to conduct a child abuse record information check. d. If the administrator of the agency refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing of a child abuse record information check, the department shall suspend, deny, revoke or refuse to renew the agency's approval as an adoption agency, as appropriate. e. If a staff member of an agency refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing of a child abuse record information check, the individual shall be immediately terminated from employment at the agency. f. The department shall complete the child abuse record information check within 45 days after receiving the request for the check. L.2008, c.114, s.7.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.9 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.9 - Agency established after effective date, request for child abuse record information check for all staff members.

9:3-40.9 Agency established after effective date, request for child abuse record information check for all staff members.  8. a. In the case of an adoption agency established after the effective date of this act, the administrator of the agency, prior to the agency's opening, shall ensure that a request for a child abuse record information check on each staff member is sent to the department. The department shall not issue an approval to an adoption agency until the agency has requested that the department conduct a child abuse record information check on each staff member employed at the agency. b. In the case of an adoption agency approved prior to the effective date of this act, the administrator of the agency shall submit a request to the department within 60 days of the effective date of this act for a child abuse record information check on each staff member. c. Within two weeks after a new staff member begins employment at an agency, the administrator of the agency shall ensure that a request for a child abuse record information check on the new staff member is sent to the department. A new staff member shall not be left alone as the only adult accompanying a child until the results of the staff member's child abuse record information check have been received by the administrator of the agency. d. If the department determines that an incident of child abuse or neglect by a staff member has been substantiated, the department shall advise the administrator of the agency of the results, and the agency shall immediately terminate the staff member from employment at the agency. e. The department shall consider, for the purposes of this act, any incidents of child abuse or neglect that were substantiated on or after June 29, 1995, to ensure that perpetrators have had an opportunity to appeal a substantiated finding of abuse or neglect; except that the department may consider substantiated incidents prior to that date, if the department, in its judgment, determines that the staff member poses a risk of harm to children in an agency. In cases involving incidents substantiated prior to June 29, 1995, in which the department determined that the individual posed such a risk, the department shall offer the staff member an opportunity for a hearing to contest the substantiation. L.2008, c.114, s.8.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.10 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.10 - Adoption agencies located out-of-State.

9:3-40.10 Adoption agencies located out-of-State.  9. In the case of an adoption agency located outside the State, the administrator of the agency shall ensure that all applicants or staff members meet all applicable laws and regulations in that state governing criminal history record background and child abuse record information checks that may be required as a condition of employment. In the event that criminal history record background and child abuse record information checks are not required, the administrator of the agency shall require that the applicant or staff member make a voluntary disclosure of any criminal conviction or substantiation for child abuse or neglect. The results of the disclosure shall be made available to the department, so the department can determine the suitability of the staff member or applicant for employment. L.2008, c.114, s.9.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-40.11 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-40.11 - Regulations unaffected.

9:3-40.11 Regulations unaffected.  6. a. Nothing in this act shall affect regulations adopted by the Department of Children and Families with respect to adoptions facilitated by the Department of Children and Families. b. Nothing in this act shall alter the requirement for an approved adoption agency to provide a prospective parent with non-identifying information relevant to the child's development, including the child's developmental and medical history, and the birth parents' complete medical histories, as provided in section 1 of P.L.1979, c.292 (C.9:3-41.1). L.2014, c.9, s.6.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-41.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-41.1 - Provision of available information on child's development to prospective parent.

9:3-41.1 Provision of available information on child's development to prospective parent.  1. a. An approved agency making an investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the surrender of a child shall provide a prospective parent with all available information, other than information which would identify or permit the identification of the birth parent of the child, relevant to the child's development, including his developmental and medical history, personality and temperament, the parent's complete medical histories, including conditions or diseases which are believed to be hereditary, any drugs or medications taken during pregnancy and any other conditions of the parent's health which may be a factor influencing the child's present or future health. This information shall be made available to the prospective parent prior to the actual adoptive placement to the extent available and supplemented upon the completion of an investigation conducted by an approved agency pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-48).  b. The available information required of an approved agency by subsection a. of this section shall be presented to the adoptive parents on standardized forms prepared by the Commissioner of Children and Families.  L.1979, c.292, s.1; amended 1993, c.345, s.4; 2006, c.47, s.37.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-42 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-42 - Jurisdiction in Chancery, venue

9:3-42. Jurisdiction in Chancery, venue  6. An action for adoption shall be instituted in the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part of the county in which the prospective parent resides, or in the county where the child resided immediately prior to placement for adoption, or if the child is less than three months of age, the county in which the child was born; except that whenever the child to be adopted has been received into the home of a prospective parent from an approved agency, the action may be instituted in the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part of any county in which the approved agency has an office.  L.1977,c.367,s.6; amended 1991,c.91,s.193; 1993,c.345,s.5.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-43 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-43 - Instituting adoption actions; qualifications

9:3-43. Instituting adoption actions; qualifications  7. a. Any person may institute an action for adoption except that a married person may do so only with the written consent of his spouse or jointly with his spouse in the same action or if living separate and apart from his spouse.  b. A plaintiff, at the time of the institution of the action, shall have attained the age of 18 years and shall be at least 10 years older than the child to be adopted, except that the court for good cause may waive either requirement, which waiver shall be recited in any judgment of adoption thereafter entered.  L.1977,c.367,s.7; amended 1993,c.345,s.6.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-43.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-43.1 - Conditions for recognizing foreign adoptions, certain circumstances.

9:3-43.1 Conditions for recognizing foreign adoptions, certain circumstances.  1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-37 et seq.) or any other law to the contrary, an adopting parent shall not be required to petition a court in this State for adoption of a child if: (1) the child was adopted under the laws of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States; and (2) the validity of the foreign adoption has been verified by the granting of an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, for the child by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. b. If an adopting parent chooses to file a petition for adoption in this State, a court may grant a judgment of adoption without requiring the consent of a parent otherwise required pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-41) if the petitioner files with the petition a judgment of adoption, guardianship or termination of parental rights granted by a judicial, administrative or executive body of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States that is in compliance with the laws of that country. L.2005,c.81,s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-43.2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-43.2 - Force of final judgment of adoption in a foreign jurisdiction, certain circumstances.

9:3-43.2 Force of final judgment of adoption in a foreign jurisdiction, certain circumstances.  2. A final judgment of adoption granted by a judicial, administrative or executive body of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States shall have the same force and effect in this State as that given to a judgment of adoption entered by another state, without additional proceedings or documentation if: a. the adopting parent is a resident of this State; and b. the validity of the foreign adoption has been verified by the granting of an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, for the child by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. L.2005,c.81,s.2.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-44 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-44 - Filing of complaint.

9:3-44 Filing of complaint.  8. Whenever a person receives a child into the person's home for the purpose of adoption other than from an approved agency, a complaint for adoption shall be filed within 45 days after receipt of the child. If the person receiving the child has been approved previously for placement for adoption in accordance with the provisions of section 18 of P.L.1993, c.345 (C.9:3-39.1), the person shall, immediately upon receiving the child, notify the approved agency which granted approval of the receipt of the child, and that agency shall undertake immediate supervision of the child in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. The cost of the supervision shall be paid by the person receiving the child. If the agency, in the course of supervision shall determine that the child is at risk of harm or that the best interests of the child are not served by the child remaining in the home, the agency may apply to a court for removal of the child from the home. Whenever a person receives a child into the person's home for purposes other than adoption and it is later determined that an adoption shall be sought, a complaint for adoption shall be instituted with reasonable promptness following the determination. Failure to file the complaint in a timely manner shall not be a sole basis for refusal of the adoption but the failure shall require the filing, with the complaint, of an affidavit setting forth the reasons for the delay.  L.1977, c.367, s.8; amended 1993, c.345, s.7; 2012, c.16, s.16.