New Jersey Statutes Title 30. Institutions and Agencies 30 § 4C-26.9

The Department of Children and Families may grant approval to a prospective resource family parent for a period not to exceed six months, upon completion of the State portion of the criminal history record investigation required pursuant to P.L.1985, c. 396 (C.30:4C-26.8), pending completion and review of the federal portion of the criminal history record investigation required pursuant to that act, if: (1) the State portion of the criminal history record investigation indicates no information which would disqualify the person, (2) the prospective resource family parent and any adult residing in the prospective resource family parent's home submit a sworn statement to the Department of Children and Families attesting that the person does not have a record of criminal history which would disqualify the person, and (3) there is substantial compliance with department standards for resource family homes indicating there is no risk to a child's health or safety.

For purposes of this section, “resource family parent” means any person with whom a child in the care, custody, or guardianship of the Department of Children and Families is placed by the department, or with its approval, for care and shall include any person with whom a child is placed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency for the purpose of adoption until the adoption is finalized.