Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§14952 Special rules for certain cases
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 143— - INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 14952
Summary
Allows the Secretary to create different rules for relatives who want to adopt a child in cases covered by the Convention, if the Convention allows it. The Secretary can also, for single cases, waive certain requirements to serve justice or prevent serious physical harm to the child, but that power cannot be given to someone else.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §14952
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)To the extent consistent with the Convention, the Secretary may establish by regulation alternative procedures for the adoption of children by individuals related to them by blood, marriage, or adoption, in cases subject to the Convention.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, to the extent consistent with the Convention, the Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, waive applicable requirements of this chapter or regulations issued under this chapter, in the interests of justice or to prevent grave physical harm to the child.
(2)The authority provided by paragraph (1) may not be delegated.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 106–279, Oct. 6, 2000, 114 Stat. 825, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 14901 of this title and Tables.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective upon entry into force for the United States of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, pursuant to Article 46(2)(a) of the Convention, with transition rule, see section 505(a)(2), (b) of Pub. L. 106–279, set out as an
Effective Date
s; Transition Rule note under section 14901 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 14952
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73