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1997 SESSION

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SB 947 Abused and neglected children; foster care.

Introduced by: Joseph V. Gartlan, Jr. | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY:

Abused and neglected children; foster care. Revises provisions governing abused and neglected children to standardize and speed up the process. The juvenile courts are authorized to enter a preliminary protective order as part of a preliminary removal order proceeding. An adjudicatory hearing is to be held within 30 days of any preliminary removal hearing or hearing on a request for a preliminary protective order. If abuse or neglect is found, a dispositional hearing must be held within 45 days of the adjudicatory hearing. The foster care plan for the child and any previously entered protective orders are to be reviewed at the dispositional hearing. The bill clarifies that orders entered following the hearing are final, and subject to appeal.

The bill provides that independent living is a permanent goal for a child 16 or older who is in foster care. Hearings to review the foster care placements are to be held six months after the dispositional hearing, rather than 12 months as under current law. Permanency planning hearings are to be held six months after the foster care review hearing. Permanent placement for the child is established at the permanency placement hearing.

Guardians ad litem appointed in abuse or neglect cases are granted access to relevant medical, school and state agency records concerning the child. Similar authority is currently granted to court-appointed special advocates.


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