Arkansas

Family Law

Family Law

Section 9-9-701 – Streamlined adoptions by the Department of Human Services

(a)

(1) A family who adopts a child from the Department of Human Services shall be eligible for the streamlined adoption process if the family chooses to adopt another child from the department and the department selects the family to be the adoptive parents of a child in the custody of the department.
(2) The adoptive family is not eligible for the streamlined adoption process if more than five (5) years have passed since the adoptive family finalized the adoption of a child placed by the department in the adoptive home.
(b) Upon contact by the adoptive family, the department shall:

(1)

(A) Obtain a copy of the original home study completed on the adoptive family.
(B) If needed, the department shall unseal the adoption file from the previous adoption pursuant to § 9-9-217(a) in order to obtain a copy of the original home study on the adoptive family; and
(2) Complete an update to the original home study within forty-five (45) business days from contact by the adoptive family.
(c) The adoptive family shall be required to obtain updated criminal background checks and central registry checks as outlined in this chapter.
(d) The department shall not require the adoptive family to attend training.
(e) The department shall place the adoptive family in the pool of waiting adoptive families eligible to adopt a child from the department upon:

(1) Completion of the updated home study that is favorable; and
(2) Receipt of the:

(A) Criminal background check; and
(B) Central registry check.
(f)

(1) A family who has a foster child in its home who was placed by the department shall be eligible for the streamlined adoption process if the department selects the foster family to be the adoptive family of the foster child.
(2) Upon selection, the department shall complete the adoptive home study within forty-five (45) business days.
(3) The department shall not require the foster family to attend training.

Ark. Code § 9-9-701

Acts 2005, No. 1685, § 1; 2007, No. 539, § 6