Western Australian Consolidated Acts

ADOPTION ACT 1994 - SECT 46

46 .         Negotiation of adoption plans

        (1)         After the revocation period in relation to a child’s proposed adoption expires, an adoption plan is to be negotiated, if possible, between — 

            (a)         the birth parents of the child who have signed a form of consent to the child’s adoption;

            (b)         the person or persons selected under section 45(a)(ii) to be the prospective adoptive parent of the child; and

            (c)         if the CEO thinks it is appropriate, the child’s representative.

        (2)         The following matters may be provided for in an adoption plan — 

            (a)         the exchange of information between the parties to the plan in relation to the child’s — 

                  (i)         medical background or condition; or

                  (ii)         development and important events in the child’s life;

            (b)         subject to subsection (6), the means and nature of contact between the parties to the plan and the child; or

            (c)         any other matters relating to the child,

                but the provisions of the plan may be to the effect that there will not be any exchange of information or contact.

        (3)         If an adoption plan has not been agreed within 21 days after the day on which the negotiations commenced, then within a further 21 days — 

            (a)         the CEO is to give the person who made the selection of the prospective adoptive parent under section 45(a)(ii) the opportunity of selecting another person or persons to be the prospective adoptive parent of the child; and

            (b)         an adoption plan is to be negotiated, if possible, between the persons referred to in subsection (1)(a) and (c) and the newly selected prospective adoptive parent.

        (4)         The selection of, and the negotiation of an adoption plan with, a prospective adoptive parent, under this section, is not to occur more than twice.

        (5)         Persons who negotiate an adoption plan under this Division are to have regard to the rights and responsibilities mentioned in Schedule 2.

        (6)         A provision in an adoption plan that purports to prevent, restrict or make conditional, the movement (whether within or out of Australia) of a party to the adoption, is of no effect.

        [Section 46 amended by No. 8 of 2003 s. 28; No. 34 of 2004 s. 251.]