DCF 50.05(9)(a) (a) Deadline. The public adoption agency shall issue a written decision on a home study for a public adoption within 6 months after receiving a completed application.

DCF 50.05(9)(b) (b) Deferral. Notwithstanding par. (a), the public adoption agency may defer a decision if the applicant fails to meet the qualifications in sub. (7) for a reason that is expected to be temporary. The public adoption agency shall issue a written notice that states the reason for the deferral and the date by which the qualifications must be met. A deferral of a decision shall toll the deadline in par. (a).

DCF 50.05(9)(c) (c) Approval. The public adoption agency shall approve the applicant’s home study and determine that the applicant’s home is suitable for placement of a child for the purpose of adoption if the applicant meets all of the qualifications in sub. (7) or received an exception under sub. (8) to any qualification not met.

DCF 50.05(9)(d) (d) Denial.

DCF 50.05(9)(d)1. 1. The public adoption agency shall deny the applicant’s home study and determine that the applicant’s home is not suitable for placement of a child for the purpose of adoption if the applicant does not meet the qualifications in sub. (7), unless an exception under sub. (8) is granted for any qualification not met.

DCF 50.05(9)(d)2. 2. The public adoption agency may deny the applicant’s home study if any of the following applies:

DCF 50.05(9)(d)2.a. a. The applicant provided false information to the public adoption agency.

DCF 50.05(9)(d)2.b. b. The public adoption agency has reason to believe that the applicant intends to use the home study decision to meet the requirements for an adoption that would not be a public adoption.

DCF 50.05(9)(d)3. 3. A notice of denial shall include the reason for the denial. A notice of denial by the department shall include a summary of appeal rights under s. DCF 50.06.

DCF 50.05(10) (10) Post-approval notification requirements.

DCF 50.05(10)(a) (a) Prospective adoptive parents whose home study has been approved for public adoption shall notify the public adoption agency immediately if any of the following changes occur:

DCF 50.05(10)(a)1. 1. Change of household members, including death, a foster care placement, an adoptive placement, or a change in residence for a member of the household.

DCF 50.05(10)(a)2. 2. Change in residence.

DCF 50.05(10)(a)3. 3. Change in marital status.

DCF 50.05(10)(a)4. 4. Significant changes in health, income, or child care arrangements.

DCF 50.05(10)(a)5. 5. Any of the changes specified in the background check notification requirements in s. DCF 56.05 (1) (g) for any household member.

DCF 50.05(10)(a)6. 6. If the prospective adoptive parents have a foster child placed in the home, any of the serious incidents specified in the notification requirements in s. DCF 56.06.

DCF 50.05(10)(b) (b) The public adoption agency shall consider any updated information and may revise the home study findings. Prospective adoptive parents shall be notified of any change in the findings and the reasons for the change.

DCF 50.05(11) (11) Updating. Every 6 months, the public adoption agency shall contact prospective adoptive parents who are waiting for placement of a child for the purpose of adoption to request updated information and revise the home study as appropriate.

DCF 50.05 History History: CR 18-001: cr. Register August 2018 No. 752, eff. 9-1-18; correction in numbering in (2) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., and correction in (7) (a), (9) (d) 2. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register August 2018 No. 752.

DCF 50.06 DCF 50.06 Appeal of screening and home study denials.

DCF 50.06(1) (1) An individual who received a screening denial under s. DCF 50.04 (5) (c) or a home study denial under s. DCF 50.05 (9) (d) may send a written request for review by the bureau director or a designee within 30 days after the date of the notice of denial. No new information may be submitted. The bureau director shall make a determination and send a notice of decision within 30 days after receiving the request.

DCF 50.06 Note Note: Send a written request for a review to Director, Bureau of Permanence and Out-of-Home Care, P.O. Box 8916, Madison, WI 53708-8916.

DCF 50.06(2) (2) If the bureau director or designee upholds the screening or home study denial, the individual may send a written request for review to the division administrator within 30 days after the date of the notice of decision by the bureau director. The division administrator or a designee shall make a determination and send a notice of decision within 30 days after receiving the request. A finding by the division administrator or designee is final.

DCF 50.06 Note Note: Send a written request for a review by the division administrator to Administrator, Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison, WI 53708-8916.

DCF 50.06 History History: CR 18-001: cr. Register August 2018 No. 752, eff. 9-1-18.

DCF 50.07 DCF 50.07 Adoption information exchange.

DCF 50.07(1) (1) Services. The department shall establish or contract with an entity with expertise in adoption issues to establish an adoption information exchange that includes all of the following services:

DCF 50.07(1)(a) (a) An Internet-based photolisting of children who are legally free for public adoption and children who are at legal risk.