Sec.17a-150-101. Health standards for foster or prospective adoptive parents and members of the household

(a) The health of persons living in the foster or prospective adoptive family shall not present a hazard to the children. Prior to licensure or approval applicants to become a foster family or prospective adoptive family shall supply a statement from a physician on such forms as approved by the commissioner or child placing agency that within the previous twelve (12) months:

(1) Each person living in the home has had a physical examination and has been found to be in good health or that specified members of the family are receiving all necessary continuing medical care and are free of communicable disease; and

(2) the parents have been determined to be physically and mentally able to provide care to children.

(b) Once approved, foster or prospective adoptive parents shall notify the child placing agency whenever they or a member of the household develop a physical or mental infirmity which may interfere with their ability to care for and meet the needs of the child.

(c) The child placing agency may require a physical, mental or psychological examination of any member of the foster or prospective adoptive household if such person exhibits characteristics or behaviors which indicate or could indicate that they are unable to provide for the care of the child. Such examination shall be done at the expense of the child placing agency if such person is uninsured or such persons insurance does not cover such examination.

(d) No applicant shall be approved as a foster family or prospective adoptive family if the applicant has suffered the death of a biological, adoptable or adopted child within one (1) year of the application.

(Effective February 20, 1997)