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2018 SESSION

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HB 1219 Parental rights; annual foster care review.

Introduced by: David A. Reid | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Annual foster care review. Provides that, at certain foster care review hearings, the court shall inquire of the child's guardian ad litem and the local board of social services whether the child has expressed a preference that the possibility of restoring the parental rights of his parent or parents be investigated. The bill further provides that, if the child expresses or has expressed such a preference, the court shall direct the local board of social services or the child's guardian ad litem to conduct an investigation of the parent or parents. The bill provides that if, following such investigation, the local board of social services or guardian ad litem deems it appropriate to do so, either may file a petition for the restoration of parental rights.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Restoration of parental rights. Provides that, at an annual foster care review hearing, the court shall inquire as to whether a child who is the subject of such hearing prefers that the court investigate the possibility of restoring the parental rights of such child's parent or parents, provided that such child meets criteria under which his parent or parents are otherwise eligible for such restoration. The bill further provides that, where such child expresses such a preference at such hearing, the court shall direct the local board of social services or the child's guardian ad litem to conduct an investigation in order to determine whether such restoration is in the child's best interest. The bill further provides that the court shall direct such local board or guardian ad litem at such hearing to file a petition for restoration if all the circumstances under which the parent or parents are eligible for restoration are met. The bill provides that, if the court determines that a child is interested in the restoration of parental rights of his parent or parents and his circumstances otherwise meet the criteria making his parent or parents eligible for such restoration, and no petition for restoration has yet been filed, the court shall direct the local board of social services or the child's guardian ad litem to conduct an investigation in order to determine whether such restoration is in the child's best interest. The bill states that the court shall direct the local board of social services or the child's guardian ad litem to file such restoration petition where no petition has been filed but the criteria under which such a petition may be otherwise filed has been met.