North Dakota Code 14-15.1-04 – Report of child-placing agency
1. Before a hearing under this chapter, the report of a child-placing agency must be filed with the court. The child-placing agency shall serve a copy of the report upon the birth parent, the identified adoptive parent, the guardian ad litem, and the department at least seven days before the hearing. Except as provided in subsection 2, the report must include:
Terms Used In North Dakota Code 14-15.1-04
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
a. A recommendation as to whether the home of the identified adoptive parent is a suitable home for the placement of the child.
b. A preplacement adoption assessment indicating how the identified adoptive parent’s emotional maturity, finances, health, relationships, criminal history record, and any other relevant factors may affect the identified adoptive parent’s ability to accept, care for, and provide the child with an adequate environment in which to mature.
c. The medical and social history of the birth parent, including an assessment regarding the birth parent’s understanding and acceptance of the action.
d. If the child has been born before the filing of the report, a medical and developmental history of the child.
2. If the identified adoptive parent is a relative of the child, the report of a child-placing agency must include:
a. An assessment and recommendation of the criminal history record of the identified adoptive parent and any adult living in the home of the adoptive parent.
b. Written credible character statements from three adult witnesses. Each statement must be acknowledged before a notary public and include:
(1) The relationship of the witness to the identified parent; (2) The relationship, love, and other emotional ties existing between the child and the identified adoptive parent; (3) The emotional maturity and moral character of the identified adoptive parent; (4) The sufficiency and stability of the identified adoptive parent’s home environment; (5) The ability of the identified adoptive parent to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical care for the child; and
(6) The mental and physical health of the identified adoptive parent, if known.
c. The medical and social history of the birth parent, including an assessment regarding the birth parent’s understanding and acceptance of the action.