### Question
How does the law define pre-adolescent child adoption and pre-adolescent foster child guardianship?


### Answer
Under *42 U.S.C. § 673b*, **pre-adolescent child adoption and pre-adolescent foster child guardianship** is defined as:

> the final adoption, or the placement into foster child guardianship (as defined in paragraph (12)) of a child who has attained 9 years of age but not 14 years of age if—


(A) at the time of the adoptive or foster child guardianship placement, the child was in foster care under the supervision of the State

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 673b*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7-SOCIAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER IV-GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR CHILD-WELFARE SERVICES > Part E-Federal Payments for Foster Care, Prevention, and Permanency**

