{"data":{"id":"us-nm/32a-5-14","jurisdiction":"us-nm","citation":"32A-5-14","heading":"Pre-placement study.","body":"A. The pre-placement study shall be performed as prescribed by department regulation and shall include at a minimum the following:\n(1) an individual interview with each petitioner;\n(2) a joint interview with both petitioners; if a joint interview is not conducted, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study;\n(3) a home visit, which shall include an interview with the petitioner's children and any other permanent residents of the petitioner's home;\n(4) an interview with the adoptee, if age appropriate;\n(5) an individual interview with each of the adoptee's parents; if a parent is not interviewed, an explanation shall be provided in the pre-placement study;\n(6) full disclosure to the petitioner;\n(7) exploration of the petitioners' philosophy concerning discussion of adoption issues with the adoptee;\n(8) the initiation of a criminal records check of each petitioner;\n(9) a medical certificate dated not more than one year prior to any adoptive placement assessing the petitioner's health as it relates to the petitioner's ability to care for the adoptee;\n(10) a minimum of three letters of reference from individuals named by the petitioner or memoranda of the dates and contents of personal contacts with the references;\n(11) a statement of the capacity and readiness of the petitioner for parenthood and the petitioner's emotional and physical health and ability to shelter, feed, clothe and educate the adoptee;\n(12) verification of the petitioner's employment, financial resources and marital status;\n(13) a report of a medical examination performed on the adoptee within one year prior to the proposed adoptive placement;\n(14) a statement of the results of any prior pre-placement study or initiation of a pre-placement study, if any, of the petitioners done by any person; and\n(15) a copy of proof of certification by the department for the investigator to conduct pre-placement studies or, if the preparer of the pre-placement study is out-of-state, the preparer shall attach a statement setting forth qualifications that are equivalent to those required of an investigator pursuant to the provisions of Section 32A-5-13 NMSA 1978 and department regulations.\nB. The pre-placement study shall be completed at the cost of the petitioner.\nC. Unless directed by the court, a pre-placement study is not required in cases in which the child is being adopted by a stepparent, a relative or a person named in the child's deceased parent's will pursuant to Section 32A-5-12 NMSA 1978.\nD. The pre-placement study shall be filed with the court.\nE. The requirements of this section shall not apply to confirmatory adoptions.","path":["Chapter 32A - Children's Code","ARTICLE 5 Adoptions"],"source_url":"https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18532/index.do","current_through":"2026-07-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T15:02:19Z","sha256":"6e0b831985145070287c6c864f35418458cf4b87c98818cff888ffa5ea273c17","source_id":"us-nm","stale":false,"prev":"us-nm/32a-5-13","next":"us-nm/32a-5-14.1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}