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(7) Reports presented to the court will be complete and truthful. (8) Information in reports will be available upon request to the subject of the report. (9) All completed reports will be submitted to the court regardless of the recommendations. (10) All recommendations will be discussed with the applicant in advance of presentation to the court. (11) Before accepting a consent or relinquishment the certified person will ascertain the mental and physical condition of the birth parent and not accept their signature if their condition does not warrant. (12) The certified person must fully advise the birth parent of rights and responsibilities before accepting signatures and will not accept signatures unless fully satisfied that the consequences are fully understood by the birth parent. (13) Consultation from other professionals must be sought when the certified person is unsure of a course of action in any particular instance. (14) The certified person must maintain the confidentiality of the adoption process and protect the privacy of all parties. (15) The certified person must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, or handicap in professional relationships with clients or colleagues. (16) Persons employed by sectarian sponsored organizations may limit their practice to persons eligible for service from that organization. I. Severability If any provision of these Regulations or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of these Rules and Regulations which can be given effect without the invalid provision of application, and to this end the provisions of these Rules and Regulations are severable. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 16, Issue No. 6, eff June 26, 1992; SCSR 49–5 Doc. No. 5303, eff May 23, 2025. 114–4380. Supplemental Benefits for Adoption and Medical Assistance. (Statutory Authority: 1976 Code §§ 63–9–1700 through 63–9–1810 and §§ 63–9–2000 through 63–9–2050) A. Definitions. 1. Supplemental Benefits: State funded payments for the care and support of an adopted child. 2. The Department: The South Carolina Department of Social Services. 3. Family: The adoptive family who is adopting or has adopted a child, or the caregiver. 4. Caregiver: The person who provides care and support after the death or disability of the adoptive parent(s). 5. Child: A person under the age of 18 or a person age 18, 19, or 20 who meets the education or employment requirements of Section 63–7–2710 or who is incapable of meeting such requirements due to a physical, intellectual, emotional, or psychiatric condition that limits participation in education or employment activities. 6. Adoption Assistance Agreement: An Adoption Subsidy Agreement or contract between an adoptive family and the Department or another adoption assistance state for ongoing or time limited financial support through federal or state public funds. 7. Special Needs Child: For the purpose of adoption, means children who fall into one or more of the following categories: (a) children who are members of a sibling group; (b) children of marginalized ethnic backgrounds, except for purposes of Section 63–9–60(B) (c) children aged six or older; or (d) children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.