1060
PUBLIC LAW 93-241-JAN. 2, 1974
[87 STAT.
out the purposes of this section. The amount expended by the Commissioner for any subsidy may not exceed the highest amount the Commissioner would be authorized to spend in providing or securing support and sjjecia] services for the child if the child were in the legal custody of the Commissioner. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. " (g) No adoption subsidy payment shall be made on behalf of any child with respect to whom an aaoption decree has been entered by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, pursuant to chapter 3 of D.c. Code 16- title 16 of the District of Columbia Code, prior to the effective date of ^°^* this section. " (h) Once during each calendar year the Commissioner shall review the need for continuing each family's subsidy. At the time of such review and at other times during the year when changed conditions, inchiding variations in medical opinions, prognosis, and costs are deemed by the (•ommissioner to warrant such action, appropriate adjustments in payments shall be made based upon changes in the needs of the child. Any parent who is a party to a subsidy agreement may at any time in writing request, for reasons set forth in the request, a review of the amount of any payment or the level of continuing payments. Such review shall be begun not later than thirty days from the receipt of the lequest. Any adjustment may be made ^ retroactive to the date the request was received by the Commissioner. If the request is not acted on within thirty days after it has been received by the Commissioner, or if the (Commissioner modifies or terminates an agreement without the concurrence of all parties, any party to the agreement shall be entitled to a hearing under the applicable provisions of the District of Columbia Administrative 82 Stat. 1204. Procedure Act (D.C. Code, secs. 1-1501—1-1510). Recordkeeping. "(j) 'pj^g Commissioiier shall keep such records as are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of adoption subsidy as a means of encouraging and promoting the adoption of children with special needs. Information The Commissioner shall make an annual progress report which shall availability. ^^ opcii to public inspection. The report shall include, but not be limited to— "(1) the number of children placed in adoptive homes under subsidy agreements during the year preceding the annual report and the major characteristics of the children placed; and "(2) the number of children currently in foster care with the Commissioner for six months or more, and the legal status of those children. The Commissioner shall disseminate information to prospective adoptive families as to the availability of adoptable children and of the existence of aid to families who qualify for a subsidy under this section. " (j) All rules and regulations adopted by the Commissioner pursuant to this Act shall be published in the District of Columbia Kegister as required by section 6 of the District of Columbia 82 Stat. 1206. Administrative Procedure Act (D.C. Code, sec. 1-1505).". 27 Stat. 269; (b) Section 5 of the Act of July 26, 1892 (D.C. Code, sec. 3-117), 55 Stat. 883. -^ amended to read as follows: "SEC. 5. The Commissioner may— "(1) accept for care, custody, and guardianship dependent or neglected children whose custody or parental control has been transferred to the Commissioner, and to provide for the care and /. . support of such children during their minority or during the term of their commitment, including the initiation of adoption proceedings and the provision of subsidy in appropriate cases under 27 Stat. 269. section 3 of this Act (D.C. Code, sec. 3-115);
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