Title 22, Part 96 — Intercountry Adoption Accreditation of Agencies and Approval of Persons

Purpose.

Definitions.

[Reserved]

Designation of accrediting entities by the Secretary.

Requirement that accrediting entity be a nonprofit or public entity.

Performance criteria for designation as an accrediting entity.

Authorities and responsibilities of an accrediting entity.

Fees charged by accrediting entities.

Agreement between the Secretary and the accrediting entity.

Suspension or cancellation of the designation of an accrediting entity by the Secretary.

[Reserved]

Authorized adoption service providers.

Circumstances in which accreditation, approval, or supervision is not required.

Providing adoption services using other providers.

Examples.

Public domestic authorities.

Effective date of accreditation and approval requirements.

Scope.

First-time application procedures for accreditation and approval.

Choosing an accrediting entity.

§§ 96.21-96.22 [Reserved]

Scope.

Procedures for evaluating applicants for accreditation or approval.

Access to information and documents requested by the accrediting entity.

Protection of information and documents by the accrediting entity.

Substantive criteria for evaluating applicants for accreditation or approval.

[Reserved]

Scope.

State licensing and compliance with all applicable laws.

Corporate structure.

Internal structure and oversight.

Budget, audit, insurance, and risk assessment requirements.

Compensation.

Suitability of agencies and persons to provide adoption services.

Prohibition on child buying and inducement.

Education and experience requirements for social service personnel.

Training requirements for social service personnel.

Information disclosure and quality control practices.

Fee policies and procedures.

Procedures for responding to complaints and improving service delivery.

Retention, preservation, and disclosure of adoption records.

Case tracking, data management, and reporting.

Acting as primary provider.

Using supervised providers in the United States.

Using providers in foreign countries.

Preparation of home studies in incoming cases.

Preparation and training of prospective adoptive parent(s) in incoming cases.

Provision of medical and social information in incoming cases.

Placement and post-placement monitoring until final adoption in incoming cases.

Post-adoption services in incoming cases.

Performance of communication and coordination functions in incoming cases.

Background studies on the child and consents in outgoing Convention cases.

Placement standards in outgoing Convention cases.

Performance of Convention communication and coordination functions in outgoing Convention cases.

[Reserved]

Scope.

Notification of accreditation and approval decisions.

Review of decisions to deny accreditation or approval.

Length of accreditation or approval period.

[Reserved]

Scope.

Renewal of accreditation or approval.

[Reserved]

Scope.

Oversight of accredited agencies and approved persons by the accrediting entity.

[Reserved]

Scope.

Filing of complaints against accredited agencies and approved persons.

Operation of the Complaint Registry.

Review by the accrediting entity of complaints against accredited agencies and approved persons.

Referral of complaints to the Secretary and other authorities.

[Reserved]

Scope.

Adverse action against accredited agencies or approved persons not in substantial compliance.

Procedures governing adverse action by the accrediting entity.

Responsibilities of the accredited agency, approved person, and accrediting entity following adverse action by the accrediting entity.

Accrediting entity procedures to terminate adverse action.

Administrative or judicial review of adverse action by the accrediting entity.

[Reserved]

Scope.

The Secretary's response to actions by the accrediting entity.

Suspension or cancellation of accreditation or approval by the Secretary.

Reinstatement of accreditation or approval after suspension or cancellation by the Secretary.

Temporary and permanent debarment by the Secretary.

Length of debarment period and reapplication after temporary debarment.

Responsibilities of the accredited agency, approved person, and accrediting entity following suspension, cancellation, or debarment by the Secretary.

Procedures for debarment with prior notice.

Procedures for debarment effective immediately.

Review of suspension, cancellation, or debarment by the Secretary.

Scope.

Dissemination of information to the public about accreditation and approval status.

Dissemination of information to the public about complaints against accredited agencies and approved persons.

Reports to the Secretary about accredited agencies and approved persons and their activities.

§§ 96.95-96.99 [Reserved]

Alternative procedures for primary providers in intercountry adoption by relatives.

Effective date for alternative procedures for primary providers in intercountry adoption by relatives.