Sec. 2. (a) The department is authorized to develop, participate in the development of, negotiate, and enter into one (1) or more interstate compacts on behalf of this state with other states to implement one (1) or more of the purposes set forth in this chapter. When so entered into, and for so long as it shall remain in force, such a compact shall have the force and effect of law.

     (b) For the purposes of this chapter, the term “state” shall mean a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or a territory or possession of or administered by the United States.

     (c) For the purposes of this chapter, the term “adoption assistance state” means the state that is signatory to an adoption assistance agreement in a particular case.

     (d) For the purposes of this chapter, the term “residence state” means the state of which the child is a resident by virtue of the residence of the adoptive parents.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-5-2(a).]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.268.