Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - Vermont

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 2-105

The parent or agency placing the child shall provide in writing to the prospective adoptive parent nonidentifying information that is reasonably available from the parents, relatives, or guardian of the child; the agency; any person who has had physical custody of the minor for 30 days or more; or any person who has provided health, psychological, educational, or similar services to the child.

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 2-105

The report shall provide the social and health histories of the child, including the following:

• Date, time, and place of birth
• First and middle name as given by the parent
• Current health history, including an account of the child's prenatal care, medical condition at birth, and any drug or medication taken by the child's mother during pregnancy
• Any subsequent medical, psychological, psychiatric, and dental information and diagnosis
• A record of any immunizations and health care received while in foster or other care
• Any physical, sexual, or emotional abuse known to have been experienced by the child
• Enrollment and performance in school, results of educational testing, and any special educational needs
• An account of the child's past and existing relationship(s) with any relative, foster parent, or other person with whom the child has lived or visited on a regular basis

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 2-105

The report shall provide the social and health histories of the child's parents and extended family, including the following:

• Health and genetic history, including the following:
  • Any known hereditary condition or disease
  • The current health of each parent
  • A summary of the findings of any medical, psychological, or psychiatric evaluation of each parent completed prior to placement
  • History of use of drugs and alcohol
  • If a parent is deceased, the cause of and the age at death
• Racial, ethnic, and religious background
• A general physical description
• The levels and types of educational, vocational, athletic, artistic, or scientific achievement or interests, including academic performance and diagnosed learning problems
• The date of birth and sex of any other child of the parents and whether those children have been removed from the parent's custody or placed for adoption
• The facts and circumstances related to the consent or relinquishment or termination of parental rights
• Any information necessary to determine the child's eligibility for State or Federal benefits, including financial, medical, or other assistance

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 15A, § 2-105

The report must be provided in writing to the prospective adoptive parent before the child is placed for adoption.

Before the final hearing on a petition for adoption, a person or agency that placed a minor for adoption shall provide to the prospective adoptive parent a supplemental written report containing any information that was unavailable before the child was placed but becomes reasonably available after the placement.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.