Ariz. Admin. Code § 21-9-232

Current through Register Vol. 31, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Section R21-9-232 - Adoption Fee Agreement

A. Before providing services to an adoptive parent, the adoption agency shall enter into a written fee agreement with the adoptive parent. Both the adoptive parent and an authorized representative of the adoption agency shall sign and date the agreement. The adoption agency shall retain the original agreement in the adoptive parent's file and provide a copy to the adoptive parent.

B. The fee agreement shall include the following terms:

1. A description of all services the adoption agency will provide to the adoptive parent and the fee for each service; the agreement shall specify how much of the fee is being allocated to cover medical expenses, including the cost of prenatal care and delivery;

2. A general description of any adoption services the adoption agency is not providing but that are required to finalize the adoption, with an estimate of the costs of such services;

3. The terms of payment, including payment due dates and amounts; and

4. A statement advising the client of the client's right to receive a copy of the adoption agency's fee policy.

C. An adoption agency shall not charge a fee, other than a certification application fee, or enter into an adoption fee agreement until after the potential client has received the orientation described in R21-5-403.

D. When an adoption agency charges adoptive parents for birth parent counseling, the adoption agency will monitor birth parent attendance at scheduled counseling at least monthly. When a birth parent does not schedule counseling services or misses scheduled counseling services for a month, the adoption agency shall refund to the adoptive parents the portion of the fee covering the remainder of the counseling services.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-9-232

New section made by exempt rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3524, effective 1/24/2016.