An Act to provide an appropriation for adoption assistance grants and to declare an emergency.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added:

25-6-26. South Dakota adoption assistance fund--Creation--Purpose.

There is created in the state treasury the South Dakota adoption assistance fund. The fund consists of any appropriation by the Legislature for deposit in the fund, together with gifts, grants, and donations, from private sources, and all income from and interest earned on the fund.

The Department of Social Services shall use the fund to provide grants to families that have incurred expenses associated with obtaining a home study report, in accordance with § 25-6-9.1, or that have incurred expenses for an adoption application, for foster care adoption service fees, or for adoption education costs, in order to adopt a child from the state's foster care system.

A grant under this section, if used to assist with the expenses of a home study report, may not exceed the actual charge for the home study report, or three thousand dollars, whichever is less.

A grant under this section, if used to assist with any other eligible expenditure, may not exceed the actual charge or two thousand dollars, whichever is less.

The grant is payable to any family upon finalization of the adoption and presentation of an invoice or receipt to the department.

Section 2. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, to the Department of Social Services, for purposes of providing adoption assistance grants in accordance with § 26-6-26.

Section 3. The secretary of the Department of Social Services shall approve vouchers and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized by this Act.

Section 4. Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.