Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption - Connecticut

Who Must Be Studied

Citation: State Agencies Regs. § 17a-145-132

The adoption home study shall include the applicant as well as all members of the applicant's household.

Agency or Person Conducting the Study

Citation: State Agencies Regs. § 17a-145-132

The Department of Children and Families or a child-placing agency shall conduct the assessment of any prospective adoptive parent.

Qualifications for Adoptive Parents

Citation: State Agencies Regs. §§ 17a-145-143; 17a-145-144; 17a-145-147

The health of persons living in the prospective adoptive family shall not present a hazard to the children. Prospective adoptive parents and other members of the household shall be of good character, habits, and reputation.

Prospective adoptive parents shall have an income sufficient to meet the needs of their family. Money received on behalf of the child shall be expended on the care of the child.

Elements of a Home Study

Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-114(b)(2); State Agencies Regs. § 17a-145-154

The applicant and any person age 16 or older living in the applicant's household shall submit to State and national criminal history records checks prior to placement of a child. The department also shall check the State child abuse and neglect registry for the names of the applicant and any person age 16 or older living in the household and the child abuse and neglect registry in any State in which the applicant or person resided in the preceding 5 years.

In regulation: The department or child-placing agency shall conduct an assessment of any prospective adoptive parent(s)' home. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• The physical condition of the home
• The health of the applicant and other members of the household
• The ability of the applicant to provide an environment that will advance the physical, mental, emotional, educational, and social development of the adoptive child

Grounds for Withholding Approval

Citation: State Agencies Regs. § 17a-145-152

Approval shall be denied if any of the following applies to any member of the household of a prospective adoptive family:

• Has been convicted of injury or risk of injury to a minor or other similar offenses
• Has been convicted of impairing the morals of a minor or other similar offenses
• Has been convicted of violent crime against a person or other similar offenses
• Has been convicted of the possession, use, or sale of controlled substances within the past 5 years
• Has been convicted of illegal use of a firearm or other similar offenses
• Has ever had an allegation of child abuse or neglect substantiated
• Has had a minor removed from their care because of child abuse or neglect

Approval may be denied if any of the following applies to any member of the household of a prospective adoptive family:

• Is awaiting trial, or is on trial, for charges as described in the preceding list
• Has a criminal record that the department or child-placing agency believes makes the home unsuitable
• Has a current allegation of child abuse or neglect pending

When Studies Must Be Completed

Citation: Gen. Stat. § 45a-727

When an application for adoption has been filed, the court shall request the department or a child-placing agency to make an investigation and submit a written report to it, in duplicate, within 60 days from the receipt of the request.

Postplacement Study Requirements

This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

Citation: Gen. Stat. § 45a-733

An investigation and home study report are not required in the case of a child sought to be adopted by a stepparent or a person who shares parental responsibility with the parent of the child pursuant to § 45a-724(3)(a).

Requirements for Interjurisdictional Placements

Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-152; 17a-175; State Agencies Regs. § 17a-145-136

Any person or entity, before bringing or sending any child into the State for the purpose of placing or caring for such child in any home or institution, either free or for board, shall make an application to the Commissioner of Children and Families, giving the name, the age, and a personal description of such child; the name and address of the person, home, or institution with which the child is to be placed; and such other information as may be required by the commissioner.

No sending State shall send, bring, or cause to be sent into any other party State any child for placement in a prospective adoptive home unless the sending agency complies with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and with the applicable laws of the receiving State governing the placement of children.

Prior to sending a child to a receiving State for placement in a prospective adoptive home, the sending agency shall furnish the appropriate public authorities in the receiving State written notice containing the necessary information.

The child shall not be sent to the receiving State until the appropriate public authorities in the receiving State notify the sending agency, in writing, that the proposed placement does not appear to be contrary to the interests of the child.

In regulation: Each child-placing agency or prospective adoptive family shall comply with State statutes and regulations regarding the interstate placement of children prior to accepting placement of a child from out of State.

Foster to Adopt Placements

Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-114

Any person licensed by the department may be a prospective adoptive parent.

Links to Resources

Foster Care, Adoption, Guardianship Practice Guide (Office of Children and Youth in Placement)