Section 9001 Of Chapter 5. Stepparent Adoptions From California Family Law Code >> Division 13. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 5.

. (a) Except as provided in Section 9000.5, the probation officer, qualified court investigator, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage family therapist, private licensed adoption agency, or, at the option of the board of supervisors, the county welfare department in the county in which the adoption proceeding is pending shall make an investigation of each case of stepparent adoption. The court may not make an order of adoption until after the probation officer, qualified court investigator, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage family therapist, private licensed adoption agency, or county welfare department has filed its report and recommendation and they have been considered by the court.
  (b) If a private licensed adoption agency conducts the investigation, it shall assign the investigation to a licensed clinical social worker or licensed marriage and family therapist associated with the agency. Any grievance regarding the investigation shall be directed to the licensing authority of the clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist, as applicable.
  (c) Unless ordered by the court, no home study may be required of the petitioner's home in a stepparent adoption. The agency conducting the investigation or any interested person may request the court to order a home study or the court may order a home study on its own motion.
  (d) "Home study" as used in this section means a physical investigation of the premises where the child is residing.
  (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the State Department of Social Services to issue regulations for stepparent adoptions.