New Mexico § 32A-5-14 Pre-placement study

New Mexico Statutes

§ 32A-5-14 — Pre-placement study

New Mexico § 32A-5-14

Ch. 32AChildren's Code

Art. 5Adoptions

This text of New Mexico § 32A-5-14 (Pre-placement study) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 32A-5-14 (2026).

Text

A. The pre-placement study shall be performed as prescribed by department regulation and shall include at a minimum the following:

(1)an individual interview with each petitioner;

(2)a joint interview with both petitioners; if a joint interview is not conducted, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study;

(3)a home visit, which shall include an interview with the petitioner's children and any other permanent residents of the petitioner's home;

(4)an interview with the adoptee, if age appropriate;

(5)an individual interview with each of the adoptee's parents; if a parent is not interviewed, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study;

(6)full disclosure to the petitioner;

(7)exploration of the petitioners' philosophy concerning discussion of adoption

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A. The pre-placement study shall be performed as prescribed by department regulation and shall include at a minimum the following: (1) an individual interview with each petitioner; (2) a joint interview with both petitioners; if a joint interview is not conducted, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study; (3) a home visit, which shall include an interview with the petitioner's children and any other permanent residents of the petitioner's home; (4) an interview with the adoptee, if age appropriate; (5) an individual interview with each of the adoptee's parents; if a parent is not interviewed, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study; (6) full disclosure to the petitioner; (7) exploration of the petitioners' philosophy concerning discussion of adoption issues with the adoptee; (8) the initiation of a criminal records check of each petitioner; (9) a medical certificate dated not more than one year prior to any adoptive placement assessing the petitioner's health as it relates to the petitioner's ability to care for the adoptee; (10) a minimum of three letters of reference from individuals named by the petitioner or memoranda of the dates and contents of personal contacts with the references; (11) a statement of the capacity and readiness of the petitioner for parenthood and the petitioner's emotional and physical health and ability to shelter, feed, clothe and educate the adoptee; (12) verification of the petitioner's employment, financial resources and marital status; (13) a report of a medical examination performed on the adoptee within one year prior to the proposed adoptive placement; (14) a statement of the results of any prior pre-placement study or initiation of a pre-placement study, if any, of the petitioners done by any person; and (15) a copy of proof of certification by the department for the investigator to conduct pre-placement studies or, if the preparer of the pre-placement study is out-of- state, the preparer shall attach a statement setting forth qualifications that are equivalent to those required of an investigator pursuant to the provisions of Section 32A-5-13 NMSA 1978 and department regulations. B. The pre-placement study shall be completed at the cost of the petitioner. C. Unless directed by the court, a pre-placement study is not required in cases in which the child is being adopted by a stepparent, a relative or a person named in the child's deceased parent's will pursuant to Section 32A-5-12 NMSA 1978. D. The pre-placement study shall be filed with the court. E. The requirements of this section shall not apply to confirmatory adoptions.