Adoption News

Obtain and Disclose "Material Information" on the Adopted Child's History

Material information is any information that might be helpful to a prospective adoptive parent in deciding whether to adopt a particular child. (Wrongful adoption cases have considered birth parents' physical and mental health histories and a child's history of emotional or behavioral problems to be "material" information.) The majority of States have enacted statutes requiring the full disclosure of a child's social history and medical information to prospective adoptive parents.6 In addition, some States have more detailed requirements in State regulations or licensing requirements.7 In many States, the duty (either explicitly or implicitly by statute) to use "reasonable efforts"8 to obtain background information and disclose health information may also extend to an attorney who serves as an intermediary or files a petition for adoption.9 The purpose of these laws and regulations is to protect children and their families from harm arising from incomplete and inaccurate disclosure. Questions to consider when researching a child's background include

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	Did You Know?
	Children can be adopted from other countries Adopting children from all over the world has become something U.S. residents and citizens have been doing more and more when starting or expanding their families. Over 20,000 inter-country adoptions are taking place per year in addition to the more than Most adoptive parents are two parent families Most adoptive parents are two parent families aged 31 to 40. A growing number of parents are aged 41 to 49. Most parents attended or completed college. Adoption assistance is available Monthly or one-time only subsidy payments to help adoptive parents raise children with special needs. These payments were initially made possible by the enactment of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272) which provided Federa