Section 388-27-0140. What constitutes a "special needs"?

To be considered a child with special needs the following three statements must be true:

(1) One or more of the following factors or conditions must exist:

(a) The child is of a minority ethnic background;

(b) The child is six years of age or older at the time of application for adoption support;

(c) The child is a member of a sibling group of three or more or of a sibling group in which one or more siblings meets the definition of special needs;

(d) The child is diagnosed with a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive or emotional disability; or

(e) The child is at risk for a diagnosis of a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive or emotional disability due to prenatal exposure to toxins, a history of serious abuse or neglect, or genetic history.

(2) The state has determined that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of the biological parent; and

(3) The department or child placing agency that placed the child for adoption must document that except where it would be against the best interests of the child the department or child placing agency had made a reasonable but unsuccessful effort to place the child for adoption without adoption support.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.13.031. WSR 01-08-045, § 388-27-0140, filed 3/30/01, effective 4/30/01.]

RCW 74.13.031. WSR 01-08-045, § 388-27-0140, filed 3/30/01, effective 4/30/01.