DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 727 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Bacala
Abstract: Provides for the reporting duties of the arranging agency or attorney for adoptions prior
to adoption finalization.
Present law (Ch.C. Art. 1207) provides for the duties of the department, home study, and the
confidential report of the department's investigation of the proposed agency adoption.
Proposed law retains present law but provides for duties of the adoption agency. Prior to the final
decree of the adoption, the private adoption placing agency shall ensure certain prerequisites are
completed by certain professionals.
Proposed law provides that the licensed private adoption agency or department, if the child is in
custody of the department, shall utilize a social worker in the employ of a licensed adoption agency,
licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist, medical psychologist,
licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family therapist, or, if the child is in custody of the
department, by a department employee or designee.
Proposed law provides that the prerequisites include certain in-home visits and preparing a report
of information obtained from the visits. Proposed law provides that the family shall be provided
access to resources.
Present law (Ch.C. Art. 1213) provides that prior to the final decree of the adoption, the licensed
adoption agency or department, if the child is in the custody of the department, shall ensure all
prerequisites are completed including in-home visits and a report. If an interlocutory decree has been
entered, a second confidential report must be presented to the court.
Proposed law moves the prerequisites for the final decree of adoption from present law (Ch.C. Art.
1213) to proposed law (Ch.C. Art. 1207) and repeals them from present law (Ch.C. Art. 1213).
Proposed law clarifies present law to provide that if an interlocutory decree has been entered, a
second confidential report shall be presented to the court.
Present law (Ch.C. Art. 1229) provides for the duties of the department, home study, and the
confidential report of the department's investigation of the proposed agency adoption.
Proposed law retains present law but provides for duties of the attorney arranging the private
adoption. Prior to the final decree of the adoption, the attorney arranging the adoption shall ensure
certain prerequisites are completed by certain professionals. Proposed law provides that the attorney arranging the adoption shall utilize a social worker in the
employ of a licensed adoption agency, licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor,
licensed psychologist, medical psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family
therapist, or, if the child is in custody of the department, by a department employee or designee.
Proposed law provides that the prerequisites include certain in-home visits and preparing a report
of information obtained from the visits. Proposed law provides that the family shall be provided
access to resources.
Present law (Ch.C. Art. 1235) provides that prior to the final decree of the adoption, the attorney
arranging the private adoption shall ensure all prerequisites are completed including in-home visits
and a report. If an interlocutory decree has been entered, a second confidential report shall be
presented to the court.
Proposed law moves the prerequisites for the final decree of adoption from present law (Ch.C. Art.
1235) to proposed law (Ch.C. Art. 1229) and repeals them from present law (Ch.C. Art. 1235).
Proposed law clarifies present law to provide that if an interlocutory decree has been entered, a
second confidential report shall be presented to the court.
(Amends Ch.C. Arts. 1207, 1213(A) and (C), 1229, and 1235(A); Repeals Ch.C. Arts. 1213(D) and
1235(C))