1. A. A home study satisfying Section 7505-5.1 or 7505-5.2 of this title must include at a minimum the following:

   1. 1. An appropriate inquiry to determine whether the proposed home is a suitable one for the minor; and any other circumstances and conditions which may have a bearing on the adoption and of which the court should have knowledge; and in this entire matter of investigation, the court is specifically authorized to exercise judicial knowledge and discretion;
   2. 2. Documentation of at least one individual interview with each parent, each school-age child and any other household member, one joint interview, a home visit, and three written references;
   3. 3. Verification that the home is a healthy, safe environment in which to raise a minor, as well as verification of marital status, employment, income, access to medical care, physical health and history; and

   4. 4. A criminal background check and a child abuse registry check shall be required:

      1. a. for adoptive parents, consisting of a review of the state criminal background check, national fingerprint-based criminal background check, a search of the Department of Corrections' files maintained pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act, and a search of the child abuse and neglect files maintained for review by authorized entities by the Department of Human Services pursuant to the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act, and
      2. b. for all other household members age eighteen (18) and older. In addition, a search of the Department of Corrections' files maintained pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act, and a search of the child abuse and neglect files maintained for review by authorized entities by the Department of Human Services pursuant to the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act shall be conducted.
2. B. The report of such home study shall become a part of the files in the case and shall contain a definite recommendation for or against the proposed adoption and the reasons therefor.
3. C. Following issuance of an interlocutory decree of adoption, or if the interlocutory decree is waived, prior to issuance of a final decree, the investigator conducting the home study or another investigator who meets the qualifications specified in Section 7505-5.4 of this title, shall observe the minor in the proposed adoptive home and report in writing to the court on any circumstances or conditions which may have a bearing on the granting of a final adoption decree. If the interlocutory decree was not waived, the investigator must certify that the final examination described in this subsection has been made since the granting of the interlocutory order. This supplemental report shall include a determination as to the legal availability or status of the minor for adoption and shall be filed prior to the final decree of adoption.

Laws 1997, HB 1241, c. 366, § 31, eff. November 1, 1997; Amended by Laws 1998, HB 2829, c. 415, § 24, emerg. eff. June 11, 1998 (superseded document available).