§ 9-9-102. Preference to relative caregivers for a child in foster care — Religious preference — Removal of barriers to inter-ethnic adoption

(a) In all custodial placements by the Department of Human Services in foster care or adoption, the court shall give preferential consideration to an adult relative over a nonrelated caregiver, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant child protection standards and it is in the best interest of the child to be placed with the relative caregiver.

(b) If the genetic parent or parents of the child express a preference for placing the child in a foster home or an adoptive home of the same or a similar religious background to that of the genetic parent or parents, the court shall place the child with a family that meets the genetic parent’s religious preference, or if a family is not available, to a family of a different religious background that is knowledgeable and appreciative of the child’s religious background.

(c) The court shall not deny a petition for adoption on the basis of race, color, or national origin of the adoptive parent or the child involved.