049-1 Wyo. Code R. § 1-3

Current through April 27, 2019

Section 1-3 - Definitions

(a) "Adoption" is the creation of a parent child relationship by judicial order between two parties who usually are unrelated; the relation of parent and child created by law between persons who are not in fact parent and child. Adoption creates a parent child relationship between the adopted child and the adoptive parents with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that attach to that relationship.

(b) "Adoption Agency" is an agency certified by the Department to prepare and train potential adoptive families, complete adoption home studies and reports, and place child(ren) in need of permanent adoptive families.

(c) "Adoptive Family" is a couple or single person evaluated and approved for adoption by the Department pursuant to a court order or a private child placement agency, certified by the State of Wyoming or another state's certifying agency.

(d) "Adult" is a person who has achieved the age of majority as specified by state statute.

(e) "Applicant" is a couple or a single person who is applying to adopt a child(ren).

(f) "Case Plan" is the Department's written document which outlines the outcomes, goals, and tasks in order to meet the needs of the family with regards to safety, permanency and well-being of the child(ren).

(g) "Child(ren)" is the minor person who is to be adopted.

(h) "Child Placement Agencies" are private adoption agencies that are licensed or certified by the State of Wyoming or another state's jurisdiction.

(i) "Diligent Search" are efforts made to contact relatives and others.

(j) "Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)" is the compact in place to ensure protection and services to child(ren) who are placed across state lines for foster care or adoption.

(k) "Relinquishment" is a voluntary action on the part of the parent(s) which relinquishes custody of the child(ren) to the Department, a private child placement agency or an individual empowered by statute to assume these rights.

(l) "Resident" means that, for adoption purposes, the applicant has lived in Wyoming during the 60 days prior to the filing of the petition to adopt.

(m) "Special Needs Child(ren)" means a child(ren) who exhibits one (1) or more of the following characteristics:

(i) Has irreversible or non-correctable physical or mental disabilities;

(ii) Has physical, mental or emotional disabilities correctable through surgery, treatment or other specialized services;

(iii) Is six (6) years of age or older;

(iv) Has been in the same foster family home for a lengthy period of time, emotional ties have developed with the foster family and adoption assistance is necessary to facilitate an adoption;

(v) Is a member of a racial minority; or

(vi) Is a member of a sibling group and needs to be placed in the same home with siblings.

(n) "Subsidized Adoption" is the granting of a definite amount of financial assistance to an approved adoptive home in the adoption of a special needs child(ren) by a written Adoption Assistance Agreement.

(o) "Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)" is an action by a court of competent jurisdiction that terminates the parent-child(ren) relationship divesting a parent(s) of all legal rights and privileges to the child(ren) and relieves the child(ren) of all duties to that parent(s), except that the order may or may not divest that parent(s) of duties of support obligations.

049-1 Wyo. Code R. § 1-3

Amended, Eff. 4/15/2015.