<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><title></title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0 { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; text-indent: 0.00in; text-align: justify; background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; } span.sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0 { color: black; background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000000 { color: #0000FF; background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000001 { color: black; background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002 { color: black; background: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000003 { color: #0000FF; background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules?Rule=67:14:32:08"><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000000">67:14:32:08</span></a><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000001">.  General qualifications for adoptive applicants.</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">To qualify as</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> an adoptive applicant:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (1)  The applicant </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">must be</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> at least </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">nineteen</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> years of age and reside in South Dakota;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (2)  No member of the applicant's household </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">who is eighteen</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> years of age or older, other than a child placed in the home for foster care, </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">may have</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> on record a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (3)  No member of the applicant's household </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">may have</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> a conviction for any crime specified in § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules?Rule=67:14:32:05.05"><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000003">67:14:32:05.05</span></a><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (4)</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">  </span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">The applicant </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">must have</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> income to meet the needs of the applicant's existing family and to support, care</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> for</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">, and educate an adopted child;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">5</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">)  The applicant's children, if any, </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">must be</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> willing to accept an adopted child as a member of the family;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">6</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">)  The applicant's family composition, needs, and relationships may not adversely affect an adopted child;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">7</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">)  The applicant </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">must have</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> the ability to parent a</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">n adopted</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> 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</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (8)  The</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> applicant </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">must</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> have the ability to offer continuing care and guidance to a</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">n adopted</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> child throughout the stages of the child's development in a manner consistent with the social and cultural heritage norms of the child</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (9)  </span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">The applicant </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">must</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> be able to continue meeting the needs of the applicant's own children, if any</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">; and</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    (10)  </span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">The applicant </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">must</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> display the capacity to provide good care </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">a child</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    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 dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000001">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> 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><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">; 51 SDR 127, effective June 1, 2025</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000001">General Authority:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> SDCL </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes?Statute=26-4-9.1"><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000003">26-4-9.1</span></a><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000001">Law Implemented:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0"> SDCL </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes?Statute=26-4-9.1"><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000003">26-4-9.1</span></a><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    </span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000001">Cross-References:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    Required criminal records checks, 42 U.S.C. § 671(a)(20).</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    Home study report--</span><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">Requirement--Cost</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">, SDCL </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes?Statute=25-6-9.1"><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000003">25-6-9.1</span></a><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    Confidentiality of abuse or neglect information--Violation as misdemeanor--Release to certain parties, SDCL </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes?Statute=26-8A-13"><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000003">26-8A-13</span></a><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">    Information from another state's central registry or national crime database to be used only for background check, SDCL </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes?Statute=26-6-14.13"><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0-000003">26-6-14.13</span></a><span class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fC0">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6fP0"><span xml:space="preserve" class="sa3f13c02-cba1-4f77-96db-7396ff9c5e6f000002"> </span></p></div></body></html>