Sec.45a-728-2. Definitions

As used in Sections 45a-728-1 through 45a-728-10, except as otherwise provided therein:

(a) "Department" means the Department of Children and Families.

(b) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families.

(c) "Child placing agency" means any agency within or without the State of Connecticut licensed or approved by the Commissioner of Children and Families for the placement of children for the purpose of adoption.

(d) "Birth parent" means the mother who bore or is bearing the child and the biological father.

(e) "Identify" means to give, share, or obtain any information regarding a specific child or birth parent(s) or expectant birth parent for the purpose of adoption.

(f) "Locate" means to engage in the process of searching for or seeking out a child or children for the purpose of adoption.

(g) "Non-approved child placing agency" means an agency in any of the United States or its political subdivisions which is not approved by the department but is licensed or similarly regulated by the jurisdiction in which it is located. Such agency is prohibited from the placement of a child, for any purpose, into the State of Connecticut.

(h) "Place for adoption" or "placement for adoption" means the act of giving or transferring physical possession of a child or children to the prospective adoptive parent(s) by a child placing agency or the department, or by a person designated by a child placing agency or the department, provided such person is designated in writing and qualified under subsection (b) of Section 45a-728-7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(i) "Homestudy" means the process of assisting the prospective adoptive family to assess their own readiness to adopt and parent including a determination of the compliance of the family and their residence with: (1) department licensing regulations 17a-145-48 et seq., if the homestudy is completed on a family residing in the State of Connecticut, or (2) licensing requirements of the State in which the family resides if the family resides outside of the State of Connecticut.

(j) "Cohabitor" means one who lives with another as a husband and wife or as though the conjugal relationship existed.

(k) "Identified Adoption" means an adoption where a non-related child was identified and/or located for the purpose of adoption by prospective adoptive parent(s) prior to the child's placement in the home.

(l) "Fee Schedule" means the method by which an agency establishes a rate of compensation for its services and/or payments on behalf of birth parents related to the identified adoption placement.

(Effective December 22, 1994)