CHAPTER 27. PROGRAM FOR ADOPTION OF HARD TO PLACE CHILDREN

IC 31-19-27
     Chapter 27. Program for Adoption of Hard to Place Children

IC 31-19-27-1
Program to place hard to place children
    
Sec. 1. The department shall carry out a program to place hard to place children in suitable adoptive homes in cases in which restoration to the biological family is not possible or appropriate.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.264.

IC 31-19-27-1.5
Hard to place child; eligibility for adoption subsidies
    
Sec. 1.5. The department shall consider a child who is two (2) years of age or older a hard to place child for determining eligibility for state adoption subsidies.
As added by P.L.42-2009, SEC.3.

IC 31-19-27-2
Delegation of program
    
Sec. 2. The department may:
        (1) delegate a part of the program to a county office of family and children; and
        (2) deliver a program service through a contract with another person.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.265.

IC 31-19-27-3
Powers of the department
    
Sec. 3. To carry out the program, the department may:
        (1) cooperate with adoption efforts with:
            (A) other states; and
            (B) the administrative unit in the United States Department of Health and Human Services that is established under 42 U.S.C. 5113;
        (2) exchange information with the:
            (A) federal adoption and foster care data gathering and analysis system; and
            (B) national adoption information exchange system;
        (3) conduct, directly or by grant to or contract with public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations, an education and training program on adoption, and prepare, publish, and disseminate, directly or by grant to or contract with public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations, to all:
            (A) interested parties;
            (B) public and private agencies and organizations, including hospitals, health care and family planning clinics, and social services agencies; and
            (C) governmental bodies;         information, education, and training materials regarding the children who are available for adoption, adoption, and adoption assistance programs;
        (4) provide directly, or by grant to or contract with public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations, including adoptive family groups and minority groups, technical assistance in planning, improving, developing, and carrying out programs and activities relating to adoption; and
        (5) encourage involvement of:
            (A) corporations; and
            (B) small businesses;
        in supporting adoption as a positive family strengthening option, including the establishment of adoption benefit programs for employees who adopt children.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.266.

IC 31-19-27-4
Money not reverting to state general fund
    
Sec. 4. Money appropriated to the program does not revert to the state general fund at the end of the state fiscal year.
As added by P.L.200-1999, SEC.24.