<html> <head> <title>Rule 67:14:32:08 General qualifications for adoptive applicants.</title> <META NAME="Keywords" Content="Administrative Rules 67:14:32:08"> <META NAME="Description" Content="Administrative Rules 67:14:32:08 General qualifications for adoptive applicants."> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered)"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3 4;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times",serif;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline;} .MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=WordSection1> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>67:14:32:08.&nbsp;&nbsp;General qualifications for adoptive applicants.</b> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>To qualify as</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> an adoptive applicant:</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)&nbsp;&nbsp;The applicant </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall be</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> at least 21 years of age and resides in South Dakota. Verification of age is required;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)&nbsp;&nbsp;No member of the applicant's household </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>18</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> years of age or older, other than a child placed in the home for foster care, </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>may have</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> on record a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)&nbsp;&nbsp;No member of the applicant's household </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>may have</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> a conviction for any of the crimes specified in &#167;&nbsp;67:14:32:05.05;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)&nbsp;&nbsp;The applicant </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall be</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> capable of providing good care for children;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5)&nbsp;&nbsp;The applicant </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall have</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> income to meet the needs of the applicant's existing family and to support, care</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> for</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>, and educate an adopted child;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6)&nbsp;&nbsp;The applicant's children, if any, </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall be</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> willing to accept an adopted child as a member of the family;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (7)&nbsp;&nbsp;The applicant's family composition, needs, and relationships may not adversely affect an adopted child; and</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (8)&nbsp;&nbsp;The applicant </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall have</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> the ability to parent a child, which includes a basic understanding of the child's physical and mental or emotional development and the ability to fulfill the child's needs. An applicant </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> have the ability to offer continuing care and guidance to a child throughout the stages of the child's development in a manner consistent with the social and cultural heritage norms of the child. The applicant </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> be able to continue meeting the needs of the applicant's own children, if any. The applicant </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>shall</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> display the capacity to provide good care for children.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The department may require a psychological evaluation and the submission of medical records if questions arise during the application process regarding the applicant's emotional stability or the emotional stability of another household member.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Source:</b> 2 SDR 62, effective April 5, 1976; 7 SDR 23, effective September 18, 1980; 7 SDR 66, 7 SDR 89, effective July 1, 1981; 9 SDR 72, effective December 14, 1982; 17 SDR 157, effective April 23, 1991; 21 SDR 206, effective June 4, 1995; 35 SDR 187, effective February 11, 2009; 47 SDR 24, effective September 10, 2020.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>General Authority:</b> SDCL <A HREF="/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=26-4-9.1">26-4-9.1</A></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>(1)(3)(4)</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Law Implemented:</b> SDCL <A HREF="/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=26-4-9.1">26-4-9.1</A></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>(1)(3)(4)</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Cross-References:</b></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Required criminal records checks, 42 U.S.C. &#167;&nbsp;671(a)(20).</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Home study report </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>required</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> -- Criminal record check and central registry screening to be included -- Violation as misdemeanor, SDCL <A HREF="/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=25-6-9.1">25-6-9.1.</A></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Confidentiality of abuse or neglect information -- Violation as misdemeanor -- Release to certain parties, SDCL <A HREF="/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=26-8A-13">26-8A-13.</A></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Information from another state's central registry or national crime database to be used only for background check for approval of foster or adoptive placement, SDCL <A HREF="/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=26-6-14.13">26-6-14.13.</A></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </body> </html>