** Archive **
FCASMTL 99 (MEPA/IEPA - Archive)
Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Transmittal Letter No. 99
January 7, 1999
TO: Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Holders
FROM: Wayne W. Sholes, Director
SUBJECT: CHANGES TO ADOPTION RULES AS A RESULT OF THE MULTIETHNIC PLACEMENT ACT AND THE INTERETHNIC PLACEMENT ACT

This letter transmits changes to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) adoption rules as a result of the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) and the Interethnic Placement Act (IEPA). Failure to comply with the requirements of MEPA and IEPA will result in a finding of noncompliance by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a potential loss of federal funding.

The following adoption rules are rescinded or amended in order to meet the requirements of MEPA and IEPA:

Rule 5101:2-48-13 entitled "Transracial/transcultural adoptive placement" is rescinded because the language in the rule is in violation of MEPA and IEPA.

Rule 5101:2-48-05 entitled "Agency adoption policy and agency recruitment plan" is amended in order to comply with new requirements for developing agency adoption policies and a recruitment plan.

Rule 5101:2-48-08 entitled "Adoption inquiry" is amended in order to clarify information that shall be provided to an individual requesting adoption information.

Rule 5101:2-48-09 entitled "Application process and preservice training" is amended in order to clarify training requirements for prospective adoptive families.

Rule 5101:2-48-10 entitled "Restrictions concerning provision of adoption services" is amended in order to comply with changes made in section 2151.86 of the Revised Code regarding procedures for conducting a criminal records check on prospective applicants and establishing standards for rehabilitation.

Rule 5101:2-48-11 entitled "Approval of a family foster home for adoptive placement" is amended in order to clarify procedures for approval of a foster home for adoptive placement.

Rule 5101:2-48-12 entitled "Completion of the homestudy report" is being amended because the language in the rule is in violation of MEPA and IEPA.

Rule 5101:2-48-15 entitled "Provision of information to adoptive family" is amended because the language in the rule is in violation of MEPA and IEPA.

Rule 5101:2-48-16 entitled "Adoptive placement procedures" is amended in order to clarify adoption placement procedures.

Rule 5101:2-48-22 entitled "Adoptive family case record" is amended in order to clarify the information that shall be contained in an adoptive family case record.

Rule 5101:2-48-23 entitled "Preservation of adoptive child case record" is amended in order to clarify the information that must be contained in an adoptive child's case record.

Rule 5101:2-48-24 entitled "Agency adoption review procedures" is being proposed for amendment in order to clarify the procedures for agencies to follow when adoptive applicants request an agency review of their case.

Due to a printing error, the Children's Trust Fund Overview and Rule Index was omitted from FCASMTL No. 98. This transmittal is issuing that Overview and Rule Index.