(1) If the birth father or a putative father knows or
has reason to know of the child's birth, and the birth father
or a putative father has failed to make reasonable efforts to
maintain substantial and continuing contact with the child
and provide substantial financial support for the child, the
court may waive the requirement for a diligent search and the
publication of notice.
(2) Notice to the birth father or a putative father
shall be considered given under this section if the court
waives the requirement for a diligent search and the
publication of notice and makes a specific determination that
additional efforts to locate or identify the birth father or
a putative father and provide notice do not serve the best
interests of the child.
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Diligent search." A search made to identify and locate a
birth parent or putative father for the purpose of providing
notice in an adoption proceeding. A diligent search shall
include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) An inquiry to the United States Postal Service to
determine the last known address of the individual.
(2) An inquiry to or search of the records of the
Department of Human Services, or its equivalent in the state
in which the individual may reside, including public
assistance or benefits, child support payments and any other
records maintained by the Department of Human Services that
may contain a last known address for the subject of the
inquiry.
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