5103.154 Listing of children available for adoption and prospective adoptive parents.

(A) Information concerning all children who are, pursuant to section 2151.353 or 5103.15 of the Revised Code, in the permanent custody of an institution or association certified by the department of job and family services under section 5103.03 of the Revised Code shall be listed with the department within ninety days after permanent custody is effective, unless the child has been placed for adoption or unless an application for placement was initiated under section 5103.16 of the Revised Code.

(B) All persons who wish to adopt children, and are approved by an agency so empowered under this chapter, shall be listed with the department within ninety days of approval, unless a person requests in writing that that person’s name not be so listed, or has had a child placed in that person’s home in preparation for adoption, or has filed a petition for adoption.

(C) All persons who wish to adopt a child with special needs as defined in rules adopted under section 5153.163 of the Revised Code, and who are approved by an agency so empowered under this chapter, shall be listed separately by the department within ninety days of approval, unless a person requests in writing that that person’s name not be so listed, or has had a child with special needs placed in that person’s home in preparation for adoption, or has filed a petition for adoption.

(D) The department shall forward information on such children and listed persons at least quarterly, to all public children services agencies and all certified agencies.

(E) The appropriate listed names shall be removed when a child is placed in an adoptive home or when a person withdraws an application for adoption.

(F) No later than six months after the end of each fiscal year, the department shall compile a report of its conclusions regarding the effectiveness of its actions pursuant to this section and of the restrictions on placement under division (G) of section 5153.163 of the Revised Code in increasing adoptive placements of children with special needs, together with its recommendations, and shall submit a copy of the report to the chairpersons of the principal committees of the senate and the house of representatives who consider welfare legislation.

Effective Date: 07-01-2004