R.I. R. Juv. P. 37

(a) Home Study and Report. Unless waived by the court, an adoption petition filed

by a person who is not a parent shall be supported by a Home Study conducted by

the Department of Children, Youth, and Families or a licensed or governmental child

placement agency and a report which shall include a recommendation as to the

suitability of the prospective adoptive family.

(b) Referral. Upon receipt of an adoption petition, the court shall refer the matter

to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families for a Home Study on the

suitability of the prospective adoptive family unless the petition is accompanied by

a motion to waive the Home Study or a completed Home Study.

(c) Bureau of Criminal Identification. The petitioner shall apply to the bureau

of criminal identification of the state police, the local police department, the

Department of Attorney General, or the Department of Children, Youth, and

Families for a nationwide criminal records check unless the petitioner has previously

submitted to a nationwide criminal records check in accordance with G.L. 1956 §§

14-1-34, 40-13.2-2, 40-13.2-4, 40-13.2-5, 16-48.1-4, and/or 16-48.1-5. Upon the

discovery of any disqualifying information with respect to a prospective adoptive

parent, the court shall be so informed by the Department of Children, Youth, and

Families or the licensed or governmental child placement agency.

(d) Contents of the Report. All investigative reports submitted to the court shall

be based on a minimum of two (2) home visits by the Department of Children,

Youth, and Families or licensed or governmental child placement agency conducting

the home study. All prospective siblings and any other household members, to the

extent feasible, shall be interviewed during a home visit. A summary of the

Department of Children, Youth, and Families or the licensed or governmental child

placement agency's past and present contact with the prospective adoptive family

shall be included in the report. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families or

the licensed or governmental child placement agency shall include in the report the

agency's recommendations for approval or disapproval of the adoption and the

reasons for the agency's conclusion. The following information shall be included in

all reports submitted to the court:

(1) Identifying information on all household members, including minor children,

and the current needs of each child;

(2) Information regarding the prospective adoptive parents' motivation and

reasons for the adoption;

(3) Current background information on the prospective adoptive parents,

including a written self-assessment;

(4) Child care experience and parenting philosophy of the prospective adoptive

parents;

(5) Information regarding past and present marriage and partnership

relationships;

(6) Current medical and psychological conditions, including addiction to drugs

or alcohol of any prospective adoptive parents, that may be seriously detrimental to

the health and welfare of child;

(7) Description of the home and local community, including any health and safety

concerns regarding the home;

(8) Information regarding the finances and employment of the prospective

adoptive parents;

(9) Reference letters from at least three (3) individuals at least two (2) of whom

are non-relatives;

(10) Results of background checks and clearance checks regarding state and

federal criminal records conducted on the prospective adoptive parents;

(11) Information related to the prospective adoptive parents' willingness and

ability to accept and cooperate with adoption support services, including the level of

understanding regarding openness with the birth family; and

(12) Information related to the match between prospective adoptive parents and

the child, including attitudes and capabilities of prospective adoptive parents and the

child's characteristics and background.

(e) Waiver. Provisions of this section may, at the discretion of the court, be

waived or modified in the case of a petition for the adoption of a child where the

child is the biological child of one (1) of the parties petitioning for the adoption and

resides with the petitioning parties.