(a) In any foster-care or preadoptive placement of an Indian child under State law, including changes in foster-care or preadoptive placements, the child must be placed in the least-restrictive setting that:
- (1) Most approximates a family, taking into consideration sibling attachment;
- (2) Allows the Indian child's special needs (if any) to be met; and
- (3) Is in reasonable proximity to the Indian child's home, extended family, or siblings.
(b) In any foster-care or preadoptive placement of an Indian child under State law, where the Indian child's Tribe has not established a different order of preference under paragraph (c) of this section, preference must be given, in descending order as listed below, to placement of the child with:
- (1) A member of the Indian child's extended family;
- (2) A foster home that is licensed, approved, or specified by the Indian child's Tribe;
- (3) An Indian foster home licensed or approved by an authorized non-Indian licensing authority; or
- (4) An institution for children approved by an Indian Tribe or operated by an Indian organization which has a program suitable to meet the child's needs.
- (c) If the Indian child's Tribe has established by resolution a different order of preference than that specified in ICWA, the Tribe's placement preferences apply, so long as the placement is the least-restrictive setting appropriate to the particular needs of the Indian child, as provided in paragraph (a) of this section.
- (d) The court must, where appropriate, also consider the preference of the Indian child or the Indian child's parent.