§ 46:282 — Investigation of foster and adoptive parent applicants

§282. Investigation of foster and adoptive parent applicants
A. The Department of Children and Family Services, office of children
and family services, shall investigate the background of each person who
applies to be a foster or adoptive parent of a child in foster care. The
investigation required by this Section shall include but shall not be limited to
a determination of whether the applicant or any adult member of the
applicant's household has been charged with a crime and, if so, the disposition
of those charges. The office shall require each applicant and adult family
member to provide fingerprints and such authorization as is necessary to
conduct state and national criminal history record checks and to obtain any
other information required to complete the investigation. The department is
authorized to promulgate regulations as may be necessary to conduct the
criminal history record checks authorized in this Section.
B. The office of children and family services shall request such
information and assistance from federal, state, or local governmental agencies
as is necessary to complete the investigation required by this Section. Only
information which bears a reasonable relation to the performance of the duties
of a foster parent shall be requested.
C. The office of children and family services shall not require an
applicant to provide any physical identity materials other than photographs or
fingerprints. Such materials shall be returned to the applicant upon completion
of the investigation, and no copy of such materials may be retained by the
office or by any agency to which such identity materials were transmitted.
D. All inquiries from persons wishing to contract to care for foster
children shall be responded to within three working days of the inquiry. The
response shall either be the mailing of application forms or the scheduling and
notification of a foster parent orientation meeting to be held within twenty-one
days of the inquiry. Upon receipt of a completed application form, the
background and fitness investigation concerning the prospective foster parents
shall be completed and a determination regarding fitness made within ninety
days of the receipt of a properly completed application, provided that the
department may extend the investigatory period for the purpose of allowing
potential foster parents to come into compliance with program standards. The
applicants shall be notified of the determination within ten days of its
completion.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 1978, No. 741, §1. Acts 1983, No. 710, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1349, §2; H.C.R. 115, 2001 R.S.