This Legislature hereby finds that Suffolk County funds individuals
who provide foster care and adoptive care services. The purpose of
this chapter is to protect the health, safety and general welfare
of minors enrolled in foster care homes or being placed for adoption.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ADOPTIVE HOME
A family registered with or applying to the Suffolk County
Department of Social Services to adopt a minor child.
CONTRACTOR
Any person(s) under contract with the County of Suffolk to
provide foster care services for individuals preparing for an adoptive
placement.
DEPARTMENT
The Suffolk County Department of Social Services.
FOSTER CARE
Homes certified or applying to be certified by the Suffolk
County Department of Social Services as a twenty-four-hour-a-day shelter
for children in need of care.
The Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Social
Services shall issue, promulgate and adopt such rules and regulations
as she shall deem necessary and sufficient to carry out and implement
the terms and conditions of this chapter. The rules and regulations
shall be compatible with any rules adopted by the New York State Department
of Social Services in relation to criminal history record checks.