Regulation .09 Criteria for Consideration as an Adoptive Parent.

The agency may not deny an individual's application to be an adoptive parent because:

(1)

An individual:

(a)

Is divorced;

(b)

Is separated from a spouse;

(c)

Is not married;

(d)

Has other children in the family;

(e)

Does not own a home; or

(f)

Is unable to pay a reasonable fee for adoption services; or

(2)

Of the applicant's or adoptive child's race, color, culture, national origin, sexual orientation, or ethnic heritage.

The agency shall deny an application if the agency determines that an individual's:

(1)

Child support account is in substantial arrearage which may affect the applicant's ability to provide for an adopted child;

(2)

Economic situation is insufficient to provide adequately for a child;

(3)

Physical or mental health precludes the ability to parent a child;

(4)

Age is younger than 18 years;

(5)

Criminal background or record of child abuse or neglect precludes the possibility of being an adoptive parent;

(6)

Adoption application or home study is active with another child placement agency;

(7)

Previous home study by a child placement agency reveals the individual was denied for valid reasons;

(8)

Status is that of:

(a)

Member of the agency's governing board; or

(b)

Adoption service employee of the agency;

(9)

Living space is inadequate for an additional family member; or

(10)

Application information is known by the applicant to be false.