Guam § 4210 - Social Study.

§ 4210. Social Study.

(a) Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall direct that a

social study be made by the Division and that a report in writing

of such study be submitted to the court prior to the hearing, except

that where the child's guardian or the person whose consent to

adoption is required is an officer of the Division, it shall file with

the court prior to the hearing a report of its social study. The court

may order additional social studies if it deems necessary. Social

studies may also be made at the discretion of the Administrator of

the Division of Children’s Wellness prior to the filing of a petition

on the request of birth parents, potential adoptive parents, or Child

Protective Services. The social study shall include the social

history, the present condition of the child, the child’s placement in

the home of the petitioners and his adjustment therein, the

suitability of such home and such other information as may be

pertinent to the adoption proceeding, and the report submitted

shall include such information, a recommendation, and the

reasons therefore as to whether or not the petition for adoption

should be granted and shall be accompanied by a verified

transcript of the child’s birth certificate. The purpose of the social

study is to aid the court in making disposition of the petition and

shall be considered by the court prior thereto.

(b) In order to ensure timely social studies are conducted and

submitted to the court, the Administrator of the Division of

Children’s Wellness may authorize personnel from other divisions

or agencies, or may procure services from private contractors or

retired personnel of the Division or other divisions or agencies of

the government of Guam, to conduct social studies; provided, that

such social studies shall be submitted to the Division for review

and approval prior to submission to the court. When a Guam

resident files a petition for adoption in another jurisdiction, the

Division may charge the Guam resident(s) a fee for social studies

conducted under this Section.

(c) Minimum Qualifications. Private contractors, personnel

from other divisions or agencies, and retired personnel of the

Division or other divisions or agencies of the government of

Guam conducting social studies under this Section shall first be

approved by and have minimum qualifications as determined by

the Administrator of the Division of Children’s Wellness.

(d) Prior to the procurement of services for any social study

conducted by private contractors, personnel from other divisions

or agencies, and retired personnel of the Division, or other

divisions or agencies of the government of Guam, the

Administrator of the Division of Children’s Wellness shall

immediately submit a report to the Speaker of I Liheslaturan

Guåhan containing the minimum qualifications required of such

individuals or entities.