§ 48-2-502. Preparation and content of report.
§48‑2‑502. Preparation and content of report.
(a) In preparing areport to the court, the agency shall conduct a personal interview with eachpetitioner in the petitioner's residence and at least one additional interviewwith each petitioner and the adoptee, and shall observe the relationshipbetween the adoptee and the petitioner or petitioners.
(b) The report must bein writing and contain:
(1) An account of thepetitioner's marital or family status, physical and mental health, homeenvironment, property, income, and financial obligations; if there has been apreplacement assessment, the account may be limited to any changes since thefiling of the preplacement assessment;
(2) All reasonablyavailable nonidentifying information concerning the physical, mental, andemotional condition of the adoptee required by G.S. 48‑3‑205 whichis not already included in the document prepared under that section;
(3) Copies of any courtorder, judgment, decree, or pending legal proceeding affecting the adoptee, thepetitioner, or any child of the petitioner relevant to the welfare of theadoptee;
(4) A list of theexpenses, fees, or other charges incurred, paid, or to be paid in connectionwith the adoption that can reasonably be ascertained by the agency;
(5) Any fact orcircumstance known to the agency that raises a specific concern about whetherthe proposed adoption is contrary to the best interest of the adoptee becauseit poses a significant risk of harm to the well‑being of the adoptee;
(6) A finding by theagency concerning the suitability of the petitioner and the petitioner's homefor the adoptee;
(7) A recommendationconcerning the granting of the petition; and
(8) Such otherinformation as may be required by rules adopted pursuant to subsection (c) ofthis section.
In an agency adoption, the reportshall be written in such a way as to exclude all information that couldreasonably be expected to lead directly to the identity of the adoptee at birthor any former parent or family member of the adoptee, and any copies ofdocuments included pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection shall beredacted to exclude this information.
(c) The Social ServicesCommission may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. (1949,c. 300; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 982; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1983, c. 454, s. 5;1991, c. 335, s. 2; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1997‑215, s. 4.)