Download Zipped Amended WordPerfect HB0140S03.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

Third Substitute H.B. 140

This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Mar 1, 2004 at 3:16 PM by kholt. --> This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 3, 2004 at 12:58 PM by rday. --> This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 3, 2004 at 5:10 PM by rday. -->

Representative LaVar Christensen proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES AND

             2     
RELATED JUDICIAL CODE AMENDMENTS

             3     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: LaVar Christensen

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends child welfare provisions in Child and Family Services and the Judicial
             10      Code.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    modifies definitions;
             14          .    exempts health care decisions of a mature minor from the definition of neglect;
             15          .    requires the legislative auditor general to complete an audit of child welfare cases to
             16      measure compliance by attorney guardians ad litem with their statutory duties;
             17          .    requires the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel to study and make
             18      recommendations on specified child abuse, neglect, and dependency issues;
             19          .    requires the juvenile court to recognize the rights of parents and children and the
             20      limits placed on the Division of Child and Family Services;
             21          .    clarifies how a petition before a juvenile court may be dismissed at any stage of the
             22      court proceedings;
             23          .    makes amendments regarding appointment of a guardian ad litem;
             24          .    modifies reunification services provisions;
             25      H [ .    amends the evidentiary standard for the presumption of reunification services; ] h

             26      H [ .    specifies that termination of parental rights proceedings are subject to Utah Rules of
             27      Evidence;
             28          .    amends the evidentiary standard in a proceeding to terminate a parent's rights to
             29      beyond a reasonable doubt; ] h
             30          .    requires the court to advise an attorney guardian ad litem of his duties;
             31          .    requires an attorney guardian ad litem to timely communicate with the parents or
             32      guardian of a minor;
             33          .    prohibits an attorney guardian ad litem from making public statements H [ outside of
             34      the juvenile court ] h about a child abuse, neglect, or dependency case; and
             35          .    makes technical corrections.
             36      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             37          None
             38      Other Special Clauses:
             39          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.
             40      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             41      AMENDS:
             42          62A-4a-101, as last amended by Chapters 281 and 283, Laws of Utah 2002
             43          62A-4a-118, as last amended by Chapters 94 and 232, Laws of Utah 2003
             44          62A-4a-207, as last amended by Chapter 93, Laws of Utah 2003
             45          78-3a-102, as last amended by Chapter 329, Laws of Utah 1997
             46          78-3a-103 (Effective 07/01/04), as last amended by Chapter 171, Laws of Utah 2003
             47          78-3a-109, as last amended by Chapter 180, Laws of Utah 2001
             48          78-3a-112, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 365, Laws of Utah 1997
             49          78-3a-311, as last amended by Chapter 246, Laws of Utah 2002
             50      H [ 78-3a-406, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 2003 ] h
             51          78-3a-912, as last amended by Chapter 168, Laws of Utah 2002
             52          78-7-45, as last amended by Chapter 168, Laws of Utah 2002
             53      ENACTS:
             54          78-3a-103.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             55      REPEALS:
             56          78-3a-305.1, as enacted by Chapter 274, Laws of Utah 1998

             57     
             58      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             59          Section 1. Section 62A-4a-101 is amended to read:
             60           62A-4a-101. Definitions.
             61          As used in this chapter:
             62          (1) "Abuse" means:
             63          (a) actual or threatened nonaccidental physical or mental harm;
             64          (b) negligent treatment;
             65          (c) sexual exploitation; or
             66          (d) any sexual abuse.
             67          (2) "Adoption services" means placing children for adoption, subsidizing adoptions
             68      under Section 62A-4a-105 , supervising adoption placements until the adoption is finalized by
             69      the court, conducting adoption studies, preparing adoption reports upon request of the court,
             70      and providing postadoptive placement services, upon request of a family, for the purpose of
             71      stabilizing a possible disruptive placement.
             72          (3) "Board" means the Board of Child and Family Services established in accordance
             73      with Sections 62A-1-105 , 62A-1-107 , and 62A-4a-102 .
             74          (4) "Child" has the same meaning as "minor," as defined in this section.
             75          (5) "Consumer" means a person who receives services offered by the division in
             76      accordance with this chapter.
             77          (6) "Chronic physical abuse" means repeated or patterned physical abuse.
             78          (7) "Chronic neglect" means a repeated or patterned failure or refusal by a parent,
             79      guardian, or custodian to provide necessary care for a minor's safety, morals, or well-being.
             80          (8) "Chronic emotional abuse" means repeated or patterned emotional abuse.
             81          (9) "Custody," with regard to the division, means the custody of a child in the division
             82      as of the date of disposition.
             83          (10) "Day-care services" means care of a child for a portion of the day which is less
             84      than 24 hours, in [his] the child's own home by a responsible person, or outside of [his] the
             85      child's home in a day-care center, family group home, or family child care home.
             86          (11) "Dependent child" or "dependency" means a child, or the condition of a child, who
             87      is homeless or without proper care through no fault of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.

             88          (12) "Director" means the director of the Division of Child and Family Services.
             89          (13) "Division" means the Division of Child and Family Services.
             90          (14) (a) "Domestic violence services" means temporary shelter, treatment, and related
             91      services to persons who are victims of abuse and their dependent children and treatment
             92      services for domestic violence perpetrators.
             93          (b) As used in this Subsection (14) "abuse" means the same as that term is defined in
             94      Section 30-6-1 , and "domestic violence perpetrator" means a person who is alleged to have
             95      committed, has been convicted of, or has pled guilty to an act of domestic violence as defined
             96      in Subsection 77-36-1 (2).
             97          (15) "Homemaking service" means the care of individuals in their domiciles, and help
             98      given to individual caretaker relatives to achieve improved household and family management
             99      through the services of a trained homemaker.
             100          (16) "Mature minor" means a person less than 18 years of age whom the court
             101      determines is of an age and maturity and who reasonably demonstrates the capacity to make
             102      reasonable health care decisions on the minor's own behalf.
             103          [(16)] (17) "Minor" means a person under 18 years of age. "Minor" may also include a
             104      person under 21 years of age for whom the division has been specifically ordered by the
             105      juvenile court to provide services.
             106          [(17)] (18) "Natural parent" means a minor's biological or adoptive parent, and
             107      includes a minor's noncustodial parent.
             108          [(18)] (19) (a) "Neglect" means:
             109          (i) abandonment of a child, except as provided in Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Part 8, Safe
             110      Relinquishment of a Newborn Child;
             111          (ii) subjecting a child to mistreatment or abuse;
             112          (iii) lack of proper parental care by reason of the fault or habits of the parent, guardian,
             113      or custodian;
             114          (iv) failure or refusal of a parent, guardian, or custodian to provide proper or necessary
             115      subsistence, education, or medical care, including surgery or psychiatric services when
             116      required, or any other care necessary for [his] the health, safety, morals, or well-being of the
             117      parent's or guardian's child; or
             118          (v) a child at risk of being neglected or abused because another child in the same home

             119      is neglected or abused.
             120          (b) The aspect of neglect relating to education, described in Subsection [(18)]
             121      (19)(a)(iv), means that, after receiving notice that a child has been frequently absent from
             122      school without good cause, or that the child has failed to cooperate with school authorities in a
             123      reasonable manner, a parent or guardian fails to make a good faith effort to ensure that the child
             124      receives an appropriate education.
             125          (c) A parent or guardian legitimately practicing religious beliefs and who, for that
             126      reason, does not provide specified medical treatment for a child, is not guilty of neglect.
             127          (d) A parent or guardian may not be found guilty of neglect for the medical decisions
             128      made by a mature minor.
             129          [(19)] (20) "Protective custody," with regard to the division, means the shelter of a
             130      child by the division from the time the child is removed from the child's home until the shelter
             131      hearing, or the child's return home, whichever occurs earlier.
             132          [(20)] (21) "Protective services" means expedited services that are provided:
             133          (a) in response to evidence of neglect, abuse, or dependency of a minor;
             134          (b) in an effort to substantiate evidence of neglect, abuse, or dependency;
             135          (c) to a cohabitant who is neglecting or abusing a child, in order to help the cohabitant
             136      develop recognition of the cohabitant's duty of care and of the causes of neglect or abuse, and
             137      to strengthen the cohabitant's ability to provide safe and acceptable care; and
             138          (d) in cases where the child's welfare is endangered:
             139          (i) to bring the situation to the attention of the appropriate juvenile court and law
             140      enforcement agency;
             141          (ii) to cause a protective order to be issued for the protection of the minor, when
             142      appropriate; and
             143          (iii) to protect the child from the circumstances that endanger the child's welfare
             144      including, when appropriate, removal from the child's home, placement in substitute care, and
             145      petitioning the court for termination of parental rights.
             146          [(21)] (22) "Services to unwed parents" means social, educational, and medical
             147      services arranged for or provided to unwed parents to help them plan for themselves and the
             148      unborn child.
             149          [(22)] (23) "Severe neglect" means neglect that causes or threatens to cause serious

             150      harm to a minor.
             151          [(23)] (24) "Shelter care" means the temporary care of minors in nonsecure facilities.
             152          [(24)] (25) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
             153      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
             154      Mariana Islands, or a territory or possession administered by the United States.
             155          [(25)] (26) "Severe emotional abuse" means emotional abuse that causes or threatens to
             156      cause serious harm to a minor.
             157          [(26)] (27) "Severe physical abuse" means physical abuse that causes or threatens to
             158      cause serious harm to a minor.
             159          [(27)] (28) "State plan" means the written description of the programs for children,
             160      youth, and family services administered by the division in accordance with federal law.
             161          [(28)] (29) "Status offense" means a violation of the law that would not be a violation
             162      but for the age of the offender.
             163          [(29)] (30) "Substantiated" or "substantiation" means a judicial finding based on a
             164      preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred. Each allegation made or
             165      identified in a given case shall be considered separately in determining whether there should be
             166      a finding of substantiated.
             167          [(30)] (31) "Substitute care" means:
             168          (a) the placement of a minor in a family home, group care facility, or other placement
             169      outside the minor's own home, either at the request of a parent or other responsible relative, or
             170      upon court order, when it is determined that continuation of care in the child's own home
             171      would be contrary to the child's welfare;
             172          (b) services provided for a child awaiting placement; and
             173          (c) the licensing and supervision of a substitute care facility.
             174          [(31)] (32) "Supported" means a finding by the division based on the evidence
             175      available at the completion of an investigation that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that
             176      abuse, neglect, or dependency occurred. Each allegation made or identified during the course
             177      of the investigation shall be considered separately in determining whether there should be a
             178      finding of supported.
             179          [(32)] (33) "Temporary custody," with regard to the division, means the custody of a
             180      child in the division from the date of the shelter hearing until disposition.

             181          [(33)] (34) "Transportation services" means travel assistance given to an individual
             182      with escort service, if necessary, to and from community facilities and resources as part of a
             183      service plan.
             184          [(34)] (35) "Unsubstantiated" means a judicial finding that there is insufficient
             185      evidence to conclude that abuse or neglect occurred.
             186          [(35)] (36) "Unsupported" means a finding at the completion of an investigation that
             187      there is insufficient evidence to conclude that abuse, neglect, or dependency occurred.
             188      However, a finding of unsupported means also that the division worker did not conclude that
             189      the allegation was without merit.
             190          [(36)] (37) "Without merit" means a finding at the completion of an investigation by
             191      the division, or a judicial finding, that the alleged abuse, neglect, or dependency did not occur,
             192      or that the alleged perpetrator was not responsible for the abuse, neglect, or dependency.
             193          Section 2. Section 62A-4a-118 is amended to read:
             194           62A-4a-118. Annual review of child welfare referrals and cases by executive
             195      director -- Accountability to the Legislature -- Review by legislative auditor general.
             196          (1) The division shall use principles of quality management systems, including
             197      statistical measures of processes of service, and the routine reporting of performance data to
             198      employees.
             199          (2) (a) In addition to development of quantifiable outcome measures and performance
             200      measures in accordance with Section 62A-4a-117 , the executive director, or [his] the executive
             201      director's designee, shall annually review a randomly selected sample of child welfare referrals
             202      to and cases handled by the division. The purpose of that review shall be to assess whether the
             203      division is adequately protecting children and providing appropriate services to families, in
             204      accordance with the provisions of Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child and Family Services, and Title
             205      78, Chapter 3a, Part 3, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, and Part 4, Termination
             206      of Parental Rights Act. The review shall focus directly on the outcome of cases to children and
             207      families, and not simply on procedural compliance with specified criteria.
             208          (b) The executive director shall report, regarding [his] the review of those cases, to the
             209      Legislative Auditor General and the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel.
             210          (c) Information obtained as a result of the review shall be provided to caseworkers,
             211      supervisors, and division personnel involved in the respective cases, for purposes of education,

             212      training, and performance evaluation.
             213          (3) The executive director's review and report to the Legislature shall include:
             214          (a) the criteria used by the executive director, or [his] the executive director's designee,
             215      in making the evaluation;
             216          (b) findings regarding whether state statutes, division policy, and legislative policy
             217      were followed in each sample case;
             218          (c) findings regarding whether, in each sample case, referrals, removals, or cases were
             219      appropriately handled by the division and its employees, and whether children were adequately
             220      and appropriately protected and appropriate services provided to families, in accordance with
             221      the provisions of Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child and Family Services, Title 78, Chapter 3a, Part
             222      3, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, and Part 4, Termination of Parental Rights
             223      Act, and division policy;
             224          (d) an assessment of the division's intake procedures and decisions, including an
             225      assessment of the appropriateness of decisions not to accept referrals; and
             226          (e) an assessment of the appropriateness of the division's assignment of priority.
             227          (4) (a) In addition to the review conducted by the executive director, beginning July 1,
             228      2004, the Legislative Auditor General shall audit a sample of child welfare referrals to and
             229      cases handled by the division and report his findings to the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight
             230      Panel.
             231          (b) An audit under Subsection (4)(a) shall be conducted at least once every three years,
             232      but may be conducted more frequently pursuant to Subsection (4)(d).
             233          (c) With regard to the sample of referrals, removals, and cases, the Legislative Auditor
             234      General's report may include:
             235          (i) findings regarding whether state statutes, division policy, and legislative policy were
             236      followed by the division and its employees;
             237          (ii) a determination regarding whether referrals, removals, and cases were appropriately
             238      handled by the division and its employees, and whether children were adequately and
             239      appropriately protected and appropriate services provided for families, in accordance with the
             240      provisions of Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child and Family Services, Title 78, Chapter 3a, Part 3,
             241      Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, and Part 4, Termination of Parental Rights Act,
             242      and division policy;

             243          (iii) an assessment of the division's intake procedures and decisions, including an
             244      assessment of the appropriateness of decisions not to accept referrals;
             245          (iv) an assessment of the appropriateness of the division's assignment of priority;
             246          (v) a determination regarding whether the department's review process is effecting
             247      beneficial change within the division and accomplishing the mission established by the
             248      Legislature and the department for that review process; and
             249          (vi) findings regarding any other issues identified by the auditor or others under
             250      Subsection (4)(d).
             251          (d) An audit under Subsection (4)(a) may be initiated by:
             252          (i) the Audit Subcommittee of the Legislative Management Committee;
             253          (ii) the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel; or
             254          (iii) the Legislative Auditor General, based on the results of the executive director's
             255      review under Subsection (2).
             256          (e) (i) Prior to the 2005 Annual General Session of the Legislature, the legislative
             257      auditor general shall complete an audit of child welfare cases to measure compliance by
             258      attorney guardians ad litem with their statutory duties.
             259          (ii) This audit shall be considered one of the periodic audits required by Subsection
             260      (4)(b).
             261          Section 3. Section 62A-4a-207 is amended to read:
             262           62A-4a-207. Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel -- Responsibilities.
             263          (1) (a) There is created the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel composed of the
             264      following members:
             265          (i) two members of the Senate, one from the majority party and one from the minority
             266      party, appointed by the president of the Senate; and
             267          (ii) three members of the House of Representatives, two from the majority party and
             268      one from the minority party, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
             269          (b) Members of the panel shall serve for two-year terms, or until their successors are
             270      appointed.
             271          (c) A vacancy exists whenever a member ceases to be a member of the Legislature, or
             272      when a member resigns from the panel. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority,
             273      and the replacement shall fill the unexpired term.

             274          (2) The president of the Senate shall designate one of the senators appointed to the
             275      panel under Subsection (1) as the Senate chair of the panel. The speaker of the House of
             276      Representatives shall designate one of the representatives appointed to the panel under
             277      Subsection (1) as the House chair of the panel.
             278          (3) The panel shall follow the interim committee rules established by the Legislature.
             279          (4) The panel shall:
             280          (a) examine and observe the process and execution of laws governing the child welfare
             281      system by the executive branch and the judicial branch;
             282          (b) upon request, receive testimony from the public, the juvenile court, and from all
             283      state agencies involved with the child welfare system including, but not limited to, the division,
             284      other offices and agencies within the department, the attorney general's office, the Office of the
             285      Guardian Ad Litem Director, and school districts;
             286          (c) before October 1, 2002, and before October 1 of each year thereafter receive reports
             287      from the division, the attorney general, and the judicial branch identifying the cases not in
             288      compliance with the time limits established in Section 78-3a-308 , regarding pretrial and
             289      adjudication hearings, Section 78-3a-311 , regarding dispositional hearings and reunification
             290      services, and Section 78-3a-312 , regarding permanency hearings and petitions for termination,
             291      and the reasons for the noncompliance;
             292          (d) receive recommendations from, and make recommendations to the governor, the
             293      Legislature, the attorney general, the division, the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem Director,
             294      the juvenile court, and the public;
             295          (e) (i) receive reports from the executive branch and the judicial branch on budgetary
             296      issues impacting the child welfare system; and
             297          (ii) recommend, as it considers advisable, budgetary proposals to the Health and
             298      Human Services Joint Appropriations Subcommittee, the Executive Offices and Criminal
             299      Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Executive Appropriations Committee, which
             300      recommendation should be made before December 1 of each year;
             301          (f) study and recommend proposed changes to laws governing the child welfare
             302      system;
             303          (g) study actions the state can take to preserve, unify, and strengthen the child's family
             304      ties whenever possible in the child's best interest, including recognizing the constitutional

             305      rights and claims of parents whenever those family ties are severed or infringed;
             306          (h) during the 2004 interim, study and make recommendations to the Legislature on:
             307          (i) the feasibility of requiring the juvenile court, except in exigent circumstances, to
             308      adjudicate a petition alleging child abuse, neglect, or dependency prior to ordering a child into
             309      protective custody;
             310          (ii) establishing a right to a jury trial in a juvenile court proceeding:
             311          (A) to adjudicate a petition alleging child abuse, neglect, or dependency; or
             312          (B) to terminate a parent's rights;
             313          (iii) the adequacy of warrant provisions in protecting children balanced against
             314      preserving and strengthening family ties to the fullest possible extent under the law;
             315          (iv) whether a presumption of parental fitness and competence in judicial proceedings
             316      should be made in determining whether a parent's rights should be terminated;
             317          (v) except in clear and verifiable exigent circumstances, how to otherwise strengthen
             318      procedural due process safeguards, including notice and an opportunity to be heard, for the
             319      parents of children that come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for possible child
             320      abuse, neglect, or dependency;
             321          (vi) how to strengthen defense counsel for parents of children taken into protective
             322      custody; H [ and ] h
             323          (vii) whether compliance with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5106a, the federal Child Abuse
             324      Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform requirements which include the mandatory
             325      appointment of a guardian ad litem in child abuse, neglect, and dependency cases with the
             326      approximately $250,000 in federal child abuse prevention and treatment grant monies for
             327      which the state annually qualifies provides a sufficient comparative benefit to the state in
             328      relation to its strong interest in preserving and strengthening family ties to the fullest extent
             329      possible under the law; H AND
             329a          (viii) WHETHER THE EVIDENTIARY STANDARD FOR THE REUNIFICATION SERVICES
             329b      PRESUMPTION AND PROCEEDINGS TO TERMINATE A PARENT'S RIGHTS SHOULD BE CHANGED
             329c      FROM CLEAR AND CONVINCING TO BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. h
             330          [(h)] (i) perform such other duties related to the oversight of the child welfare system
             331      as the panel considers appropriate; and
             332          [(i)] (j) annually report its findings and recommendations to the president of the
             333      Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Health and Human Services Interim
             334      Committee, and the Judiciary Interim Committee.
             335          (5) (a) The panel has authority to review and discuss individual cases.

             336          (b) When an individual case is discussed, the panel's meeting may be closed pursuant
             337      to Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings.
             338          (c) When discussing an individual case, the panel shall make reasonable efforts to
             339      identify and consider the concerns of all parties to the case.
             340          (6) (a) (i) The panel has authority to make recommendations to the Legislature, the
             341      governor, the Board of Juvenile Court Judges, the division, and any other statutorily created
             342      entity related to the policies and procedures of the child welfare system.
             343          (ii) The panel does not have authority to make recommendations to the court, the
             344      division, or any other public or private entity regarding the disposition of any individual case.
             345          (b) The panel may hold public hearings, as it considers advisable, in various locations
             346      within the state in order to afford all interested persons an opportunity to appear and present
             347      their views regarding the child welfare system in this state.
             348          (7) (a) All records of the panel regarding individual cases shall be classified private,
             349      and may be disclosed only in accordance with federal law and the provisions of Title 63,
             350      Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             351          (b) (i) The panel shall have access to all of the division's records, including those
             352      regarding individual cases.
             353          (ii) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access Management
             354      Act, all documents and information received by the panel shall maintain the same classification
             355      that was designated by the division.
             356          (8) In order to accomplish its oversight functions, the panel has:
             357          (a) all powers granted to legislative interim committees in Section 36-12-11 ; and
             358          (b) legislative subpoena powers under Title 36, Chapter 14, Legislative Subpoena
             359      Powers.
             360          (9) Members of the panel shall receive salary and expenses in accordance with Section
             361      36-2-2 .
             362          (10) (a) The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall provide staff
             363      support to the panel.
             364          (b) The panel is authorized to employ additional professional assistance and other staff
             365      members as it considers necessary and appropriate.
             366          Section 4. Section 78-3a-102 is amended to read:

             367           78-3a-102. Establishment of juvenile court -- Organization and status of court --
             368      Purpose.
             369          (1) There is established for the state a juvenile court.
             370          (2) The juvenile court is a court of record. It shall have a seal, and its judges, clerks,
             371      and referees have the power to administer oaths and affirmations.
             372          (3) The juvenile court is of equal status with the district courts of the state.
             373          (4) The juvenile court is established as a forum for the resolution of all matters
             374      properly brought before it, consistent with applicable constitutional and statutory requirements
             375      of due process.
             376          (5) The purpose of the court under this chapter is to:
             377          (a) promote public safety and individual accountability by the imposition of
             378      appropriate sanctions on persons who have committed acts in violation of law;
             379          (b) order appropriate measures to promote guidance and control, preferably in the
             380      minor's own home, as an aid in the prevention of future unlawful conduct and the development
             381      of responsible citizenship;
             382          (c) where appropriate, order rehabilitation, reeducation, and treatment for persons who
             383      have committed acts bringing them within the court's jurisdiction;
             384          (d) adjudicate matters that relate to minors who are beyond parental or adult control
             385      and to establish appropriate authority over these minors by means of placement and control
             386      orders;
             387          (e) adjudicate matters that relate to abused, neglected, and dependent minors and to
             388      provide care and protection for these minors by placement, protection, and custody orders;
             389          (f) remove a minor from parental custody only where the minor's safety or welfare, or
             390      the public safety, may not otherwise be adequately safeguarded; and
             391          (g) consistent with the ends of justice, [strive to] act in the best interests of the
             392      [minor's] minor in all cases and [attempt to] preserve and strengthen family ties [where
             393      possible].
             394          Section 5. Section 78-3a-103 (Effective 07/01/04) is amended to read:
             395           78-3a-103 (Effective 07/01/04). Definitions.
             396          (1) As used in this chapter:
             397          (a) "Abused child" includes a minor less than 18 years of age who:

             398          (i) has suffered or been threatened with nonaccidental physical or mental harm,
             399      negligent treatment, or sexual exploitation; or
             400          (ii) has been the victim of any sexual abuse.
             401          (b) "Adjudication" means a finding by the court, incorporated in a decree, that the facts
             402      alleged in the petition have been proved.
             403          (c) "Adult" means a person 18 years of age or over, except that persons 18 years or
             404      over under the continuing jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 78-3a-121 shall
             405      be referred to as minors.
             406          (d) "Board" means the Board of Juvenile Court Judges.
             407          (e) "Child placement agency" means:
             408          (i) a private agency licensed to receive minors for placement or adoption under this
             409      code; or
             410          (ii) a private agency receiving minors for placement or adoption in another state, which
             411      agency is licensed or approved where such license or approval is required by law.
             412          (f) "Commit" means to transfer legal custody.
             413          (g) "Court" means the juvenile court.
             414          (h) "Dependent child" includes a minor who is homeless or without proper care
             415      through no fault of [his] the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.
             416          (i) "Deprivation of custody" means transfer of legal custody by the court from a parent
             417      or the parents or a previous legal custodian to another person, agency, or institution.
             418          (j) "Detention" means home detention and secure detention as defined in Section
             419      62A-7-101 for the temporary care of minors who require secure custody in physically
             420      restricting facilities:
             421          (i) pending court disposition or transfer to another jurisdiction; or
             422          (ii) while under the continuing jurisdiction of the court.
             423          (k) "Division" means the Division of Child and Family Services.
             424          (l) "Formal referral" means a written report from a peace officer or other person
             425      informing the court that a minor is or appears to be within the court's jurisdiction and that a
             426      petition may be filed.
             427          (m) "Group rehabilitation therapy" means psychological and social counseling of one
             428      or more persons in the group, depending upon the recommendation of the therapist.

             429          (n) "Guardianship of the person" includes the authority to consent to marriage, to
             430      enlistment in the armed forces, to major medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment, and to legal
             431      custody, if legal custody is not vested in another person, agency, or institution.
             432          (o) "Habitual truant" is a school-age minor who has received more than two truancy
             433      citations within one school year from the school in which the minor is or should be enrolled
             434      and eight absences without a legitimate or valid excuse or who, in defiance of efforts on the
             435      part of school authorities as required under Section 53A-11-103 , refuses to regularly attend
             436      school or any scheduled period of the school day.
             437          (p) "Legal custody" means a relationship embodying the following rights and duties:
             438          (i) the right to physical custody of the minor;
             439          (ii) the right and duty to protect, train, and discipline the minor;
             440          (iii) the duty to provide the minor with food, clothing, shelter, education, and ordinary
             441      medical care;
             442          (iv) the right to determine where and with whom the minor shall live; and
             443          (v) the right, in an emergency, to authorize surgery or other extraordinary care.
             444          (q) "Mature minor" means a person less than 18 years of age whom the court
             445      determines is of an age and maturity and who reasonably demonstrates the capacity to make
             446      reasonable health care decisions on the minor's own behalf.
             447          [(q)] (r) "Minor" means a person under the age of 18 years. It includes the term "child"
             448      as used in other parts of this chapter.
             449          [(r)] (s) "Natural parent" means a minor's biological or adoptive parent, and includes
             450      the minor's noncustodial parent.
             451          [(s)] (t) (i) "Neglected child" means a minor:
             452          (A) whose parent, guardian, or custodian has abandoned the minor, except as provided
             453      in Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Part 8, Safe Relinquishment of a Newborn Child;
             454          (B) whose parent, guardian, or custodian has subjected the minor to mistreatment or
             455      abuse;
             456          (C) who lacks proper parental care by reason of the fault or habits of the parent,
             457      guardian, or custodian;
             458          (D) whose parent, guardian, or custodian fails or refuses to provide proper or necessary
             459      subsistence, education, or medical care, including surgery or psychiatric services when

             460      required, or any other care necessary for health, safety, morals, or well-being; or
             461          (E) who is at risk of being a neglected or abused child as defined in this chapter
             462      because another minor in the same home is a neglected or abused child as defined in this
             463      chapter.
             464          (ii) The aspect of neglect related to education, described in Subsection (1)[(s)](t)(i)(D),
             465      means that, after receiving notice that a minor has been frequently absent from school without
             466      good cause, or that the minor has failed to cooperate with school authorities in a reasonable
             467      manner, a parent or guardian fails to make a good faith effort to ensure that the minor receives
             468      an appropriate education.
             469          (iii) A parent or guardian legitimately practicing religious beliefs and who, for that
             470      reason, does not provide specified medical treatment for a minor, is not guilty of neglect.
             471          (iv) A parent or guardian may not be found guilty of neglect for the medical decisions
             472      made by a mature minor.
             473          [(t)] (u) "Nonjudicial adjustment" means closure of the case by the assigned probation
             474      officer without judicial determination upon the consent in writing of the minor, the parent,
             475      legal guardian or custodian, and the assigned probation officer.
             476          [(u)] (v) "Probation" means a legal status created by court order following an
             477      adjudication on the ground of a violation of law or under Section 78-3a-104 , whereby the
             478      minor is permitted to remain in [his] the minor's home under prescribed conditions and under
             479      supervision by the probation department or other agency designated by the court, subject to
             480      return to the court for violation of any of the conditions prescribed.
             481          [(v)] (w) "Protective supervision" means a legal status created by court order following
             482      an adjudication on the ground of abuse, neglect, or dependency, whereby the minor is permitted
             483      to remain in [his] the minor's home, and supervision and assistance to correct the abuse,
             484      neglect, or dependency is provided by the probation department or other agency designated by
             485      the court.
             486          [(w)] (x) (i) "Residual parental rights and duties" means those rights and duties
             487      remaining with the parent after legal custody or guardianship, or both, have been vested in
             488      another person or agency, including the responsibility for support, the right to consent to
             489      adoption, the right to determine the child's religious affiliation, and the right to reasonable
             490      parent-time unless restricted by the court.

             491          (ii) If no guardian has been appointed, "residual parental rights and duties" also include
             492      the right to consent to marriage, to enlistment, and to major medical, surgical, or psychiatric
             493      treatment.
             494          [(x)] (y) "Secure facility" means any facility operated by or under contract with the
             495      Division of Juvenile Justice Services, that provides 24-hour supervision and confinement for
             496      youth offenders committed to the division for custody and rehabilitation.
             497          [(y)] (z) "Shelter" means the temporary care of minors in physically unrestricted
             498      facilities pending court disposition or transfer to another jurisdiction.
             499          [(z)] (aa) "State supervision" means a disposition which provides a more intensive
             500      level of intervention than standard probation but is less intensive or restrictive than a
             501      community placement with the Division of Juvenile Justice Services.
             502          [(aa)] (bb) "Substantiated" has the same meaning as defined in Section 62A-4a-101 .
             503          [(bb)] (cc) "Supported" has the same meaning as defined in Section 62A-4a-101 .
             504          [(cc)] (dd) "Termination of parental rights" means the permanent elimination of all
             505      parental rights and duties, including residual parental rights and duties, by court order.
             506          [(dd)] (ee) "Therapist" means a person employed by a state division or agency for the
             507      purpose of conducting psychological treatment and counseling of a minor in its custody, or any
             508      other person licensed or approved by the state for the purpose of conducting psychological
             509      treatment and counseling.
             510          [(ee)] (ff) "Unsubstantiated" has the same meaning as defined in Section 62A-4a-101 .
             511          [(ff)] (gg) "Without merit" has the same meaning as defined in Section 62A-4a-101 .
             512          (2) As used in Part 3, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings, with regard to the
             513      Division of Child and Family Services:
             514          (a) "Custody" means the custody of a minor in the Division of Child and Family
             515      Services as of the date of disposition.
             516          (b) "Protective custody" means the shelter of a minor by the Division of Child and
             517      Family Services from the time the minor is removed from home until the shelter hearing, or the
             518      minor's return home, whichever occurs earlier.
             519          (c) "Temporary custody" means the custody of a minor in the Division of Child and
             520      Family Services from the date of the shelter hearing until disposition.
             521          Section 6. Section 78-3a-103.5 is enacted to read:

             522          78-3a-103.5. Parents' and children's rights -- Division limits.
             523          In all child abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings under this chapter, the court
             524      shall recognize, as provided in Section 62A-4a-201 , the rights of parents and children and the
             525      limits placed on the division.
             526          Section 7. Section 78-3a-109 is amended to read:
             527           78-3a-109. Title of petition and other court documents -- Form and contents of
             528      petition -- Order for temporary custody -- Physical or psychological examination of
             529      minor, parent, or guardian -- Dismissal of petition.
             530          (1) The petition and all subsequent court documents in the proceeding shall be entitled:
             531          "State of Utah, in the interest of...................., a person under 18 years of age (or a
             532      person under 21 years of age)."
             533          (2) The petition shall be verified and statements in the petition may be made upon
             534      information and belief.
             535          (3) The petition shall be written in simple and brief language and include the facts
             536      which bring the minor within the jurisdiction of the court, as provided in Section 78-3a-104 .
             537          (4) The petition shall further state:
             538          (a) the name, age, and residence of the minor;
             539          (b) the names and residences of the minor's parents;
             540          (c) the name and residence of the guardian, if there is one;
             541          (d) the name and address of the nearest known relative, if no parent or guardian is
             542      known; and
             543          (e) the name and residence of the person having physical custody of the minor. If any
             544      of the facts required are not known by the petitioner, the petition shall so state.
             545          (5) At any time after a petition is filed, the court may make an order providing for
             546      temporary custody of the minor.
             547          (6) The court may order that a minor concerning whom a petition has been filed shall
             548      be examined by a physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, or psychologist and may place the minor in a
             549      hospital or other facility for examination. After notice and a hearing set for the specific
             550      purpose, the court may order a similar examination of a parent or guardian whose ability to care
             551      for a minor is at issue, if the court finds from the evidence presented at the hearing that the
             552      parent's or guardian's physical, mental, or emotional condition may be a factor in causing the

             553      neglect, dependency, or delinquency of the minor.
             554          (7) Pursuant to Rule 506(d)(3), Utah Rules of Evidence, examinations conducted
             555      pursuant to Subsection (6) are not privileged communications, but are exempt from the general
             556      rule of privilege.
             557          (8) The court may, upon its own motion or a motion from any party to the proceeding,
             558      dismiss a petition at any stage of the proceedings.
             559          (9) If the petition is filed under Section 78-3a-305 or 78-3a-405 or if the matter is
             560      referred to the court under Subsection 78-3a-105 (3)(b):
             561          (a) the court may require the parties to participate in mediation in accordance with Title
             562      78, Chapter 31b, Alternative Dispute Resolution; and
             563          (b) the division [of Child and Family Services] or a party to the petition may request
             564      and the court may order the parties to participate in a family unity conference under the
             565      authority of the division [of Child and Family Services] in accordance with Subsection (10).
             566          (10) (a) A family unity conference may be ordered by the court for any of the following
             567      purposes:
             568          (i) discussing and reviewing the case history;
             569          (ii) designing a service plan for the child and family, including concurrent planning;
             570          (iii) discussing a visitation schedule and rules for visitation;
             571          (iv) identifying possible kinship placements under the requirements of Subsection
             572      78-3a-307 (5), and designing services to support the kinship placement;
             573          (v) conflict resolution between the family and division [of Child and Family Services]
             574      staff;
             575          (vi) discussing child custody issues; or
             576          (vii) crisis clinical intervention to reduce trauma to the child and family.
             577          (b) The family unity conference may be attended by individuals chosen by the family
             578      and the division [of Child and Family Services], and may include extended family members,
             579      friends, clergy, service providers, and others who may support the family in keeping the child
             580      safe.
             581          (c) A family unity conference may not be held in the following circumstances:
             582          (i) when there is a criminal charge pending in the case;
             583          (ii) to resolve petition disputes; and

             584          (iii) when a family unity conference may pose a threat to the safety of a child or other
             585      family member.
             586          (d) With regard to a family unity conference ordered by a court under Subsection
             587      (9)(b):
             588          (i) the requirements of Subsection 78-31b-7 (3)(b) apply except all parties to the
             589      proceeding:
             590          (A) shall be given no less than five days notice of any recommendation made to the
             591      court from the family unity conference; and
             592          (B) shall be given an opportunity to be heard by the court; and
             593          (ii) the confidentiality requirements of Section 78-31b-8 apply, except that admissions
             594      by a party to the allegations on the petition are admissible at any proceeding.
             595          Section 8. Section 78-3a-112 is amended to read:
             596           78-3a-112. Appearances -- Parents to appear with minor -- Failure to appear --
             597      Contempt -- Warrant of arrest, when authorized -- Parent's employer to grant time off --
             598      Appointment of guardian ad litem.
             599          (1) Any person required to appear who, without reasonable cause, fails to appear may
             600      be proceeded against for contempt of court, and the court may cause a bench warrant to issue to
             601      produce the person in court.
             602          (2) In all cases when a minor is required to appear in court, the parents, guardian, or
             603      other person with legal custody of the minor shall appear with the minor unless excused by the
             604      judge.
             605          (a) An employee may request permission to leave the workplace for the purpose of
             606      attending court if the employee has been notified by the juvenile court that his minor is
             607      required to appear before the court.
             608          (b) An employer must grant permission to leave the workplace with or without pay if
             609      the employee has requested permission at least seven days in advance or within 24 hours of the
             610      employee receiving notice of the hearing.
             611          (3) If a parent or other person who signed a written promise to appear and bring the
             612      minor to court under Section 78-3a-113 or 78-3a-114 , fails to appear and bring the minor to
             613      court on the date set in the promise, or, if the date was to be set, after notification by the court,
             614      a warrant may be issued for the apprehension of that person or the minor, or both.

             615          (4) Willful failure to perform the promise is a misdemeanor if, at the time of the
             616      execution of the promise, the promisor is given a copy of the promise which clearly states that
             617      failure to appear and have the minor appear as promised is a misdemeanor. The juvenile court
             618      shall have jurisdiction to proceed against the promisor in adult proceedings pursuant to Part 8,
             619      Adult Offenses.
             620          (5) (a) The court shall endeavor, through use of the warrant of arrest if necessary, as
             621      provided in Subsection (6), or by other means, to ensure the presence at all hearings of one or
             622      both parents or of the guardian of the minor.
             623          (b) If neither a parent nor guardian is present at the court proceedings, the court may
             624      appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the interest of the minor. [A guardian ad litem may also
             625      be appointed whenever necessary for the welfare of the minor, whether or not a parent or
             626      guardian is present.]
             627          (6) A warrant may be issued for the parent, the guardian, the custodian, or the minor if:
             628          (a) a summons is issued but cannot be served;
             629          (b) it is made to appear to the court that the person to be served will not obey the
             630      summons;
             631          (c) serving the summons will be ineffectual; or
             632          (d) the welfare of the minor requires that [he] the minor be brought immediately into
             633      the custody of the court.
             634          Section 9. Section 78-3a-311 is amended to read:
             635           78-3a-311. Dispositional hearing -- Reunification services -- Exceptions.
             636          (1) The court may make any of the dispositions described in Section 78-3a-118 , place
             637      the child in the custody or guardianship of any individual or public or private entity or agency,
             638      order protective supervision, family preservation, medical or mental health treatment, or other
             639      services.
             640          (2) (a) (i) Whenever the court orders continued removal at the dispositional hearing,
             641      and that the minor remain in the custody of the division [of Child and Family Services], it shall
             642      first establish a primary permanency goal for the minor and determine whether, in view of the
             643      primary permanency goal, reunification services are appropriate for the child and the child's
             644      family, pursuant to Subsection (3).
             645          (ii) When the court determines that reunification services are appropriate for the child

             646      and the child's family, the court shall provide for reasonable parent-time with the parent or
             647      parents from whose custody the child was removed, unless parent-time is not in the best
             648      interest of the child.
             649          (iii) In cases where obvious sexual abuse, abandonment, or serious physical abuse or
             650      neglect are involved, neither the division nor the court has any duty to make "reasonable
             651      efforts" or to, in any other way, attempt to provide reunification services, or to attempt to
             652      rehabilitate the offending parent or parents. In all cases, the child's health, safety, and welfare
             653      shall be the court's paramount concern in determining whether reasonable efforts to reunify
             654      should be made.
             655          (b) (i) In addition to the primary permanency goal, the court shall establish a
             656      concurrent permanency goal. The concurrent permanency goal shall include a representative
             657      list of the conditions under which the primary permanency goal will be abandoned in favor of
             658      the concurrent permanency goal and an explanation of the effect of abandoning or modifying
             659      the primary permanency goal.
             660          (ii) A permanency hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Subsection
             661      78-3a-312 (1)(b) within 30 days if something other than reunification is initially established as a
             662      child's primary permanency goal.
             663          (iii) (A) The court may amend a child's primary permanency goal before the
             664      establishment of a final permanency plan under Section 78-3a-312 . The court is not limited to
             665      the terms of the concurrent permanency goal in the event that the primary permanency goal is
             666      abandoned.
             667          (B) If, at anytime, the court determines that reunification is no longer a child's primary
             668      permanency goal, the court shall conduct a permanency hearing in accordance with Section
             669      78-3a-312 within the earlier of 30 days of the court's determination or 12 months from the
             670      original removal of the child.
             671          (c) (i) If the court determines that reunification services are appropriate, it shall order
             672      that the division make reasonable efforts to provide services to the child and the child's parent
             673      for the purpose of facilitating reunification of the family, for a specified period of time. In
             674      providing those services, the child's health, safety, and welfare shall be the division's
             675      paramount concern, and the court shall so order.
             676          (ii) The court shall determine whether the services offered or provided by the division

             677      under the treatment plan constitute "reasonable efforts" on the part of the division. The court
             678      shall also determine and define the responsibilities of the parent under the treatment plan.
             679      Those duties and responsibilities shall be identified on the record, for the purpose of assisting
             680      in any future determination regarding the provision of reasonable efforts, in accordance with
             681      state and federal law.
             682          (iii) (A) The time period for reunification services may not exceed 12 months from the
             683      date that the child was initially removed from the child's home.
             684          (B) Nothing in this section may be construed to entitle any parent to an entire 12
             685      months of reunification services.
             686          (iv) If reunification services have been ordered, the court may terminate those services
             687      at any time.
             688          (v) If, at any time, continuation of reasonable efforts to reunify a child is determined to
             689      be inconsistent with the final permanency plan for the child established pursuant to Subsection
             690      78-3a-312 , then measures shall be taken, in a timely manner, to place the child in accordance
             691      with the permanency plan, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the
             692      permanent placement of the child.
             693          (d) Any physical custody of the minor by the parent or a relative during the period
             694      described in Subsection (2)(c) does not interrupt the running of the period.
             695          (e) (i) If reunification services have been ordered, a permanency hearing shall be
             696      conducted by the court in accordance with Section 78-3a-312 at the expiration of the time
             697      period for reunification services. The permanency hearing shall be held no later than 12
             698      months after the original removal of the child.
             699          (ii) If reunification services have not been ordered, a permanency hearing shall be
             700      conducted within 30 days, in accordance with Section 78-3a-312 .
             701          (f) With regard to a child who is 36 months of age or younger at the time the child is
             702      initially removed from the home, the court shall:
             703          (i) hold a permanency hearing eight months after the date of the initial removal,
             704      pursuant to Section 78-3a-312 ; and
             705          (ii) order the discontinuance of those services after eight months from the initial
             706      removal of the child from the home if the parent or parents have not made substantial efforts to
             707      comply with the treatment plan.

             708          (g) With regard to a child in the custody of the division whose parent or parents have
             709      been ordered to receive reunification services but who have abandoned that child for a period
             710      of six months since the date that reunification services were ordered, the court shall terminate
             711      reunification services, and the division shall petition the court for termination of parental
             712      rights.
             713          [(3) (a) Because of the state's interest in and responsibility to protect and provide
             714      permanency for children who are abused, neglected, or dependent, the Legislature finds that a
             715      parent's interest in receiving reunification services is limited. The court may determine that
             716      efforts to reunify a child with the child's family are not reasonable or appropriate, based on the
             717      individual circumstances, and that reunification services should not be provided. In
             718      determining "reasonable efforts" to be made with respect to a child, and in making "reasonable
             719      efforts," the child's health, safety, and welfare shall be the paramount concern.]
             720          [(b)] (3) (a) There is a presumption that reunification services should not be provided
             721      to a parent if the court finds H [ [ ] , by clear and convincing [ ] ] h evidence H [ [ ] , [ ] ] [ that
             721a      establishes beyond a
             722      reasonable doubt ] h that any of the following circumstances exist:
             723          (i) the whereabouts of the parents are unknown, based upon a verified affidavit
             724      indicating that a reasonably diligent search has failed to locate the parent;
             725          (ii) the parent is suffering from a mental illness of such magnitude that it renders [him]
             726      the parent incapable of utilizing reunification services; [that finding shall be based on
             727      competent evidence from mental health professionals establishing that, even with the provision
             728      of services, the parent is unlikely to be capable of adequately caring for the child within 12
             729      months;]
             730          (iii) (A) the minor has been previously adjudicated as an abused child due to physical
             731      or sexual abuse[, that];
             732          (B) following the adjudication the child was removed from the custody of [his] the
             733      child's parent[,] and was subsequently returned to the custody of that parent[,]; and
             734          (C) the minor is being removed due to additional physical or sexual abuse;
             735          (iv) the parent has caused the death of another child through abuse or neglect or has
             736      committed, aided, abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit murder or
             737      manslaughter of a child or child abuse homicide;
             738          (v) the minor has suffered severe abuse by the parent or by any person known by the

             739      parent, if the parent knew or reasonably should have known that the person was abusing the
             740      minor;
             741          (vi) (A) the minor has been adjudicated an abused child as a result of severe abuse by
             742      the parent[,]; and
             743          (B) the court finds that it would not benefit the child to pursue reunification services
             744      with the offending parent;
             745          (vii) the parent's rights have been terminated with regard to any other child;
             746          (viii) (A) the child has been removed from [his] the child's home on at least two
             747      previous occasions; and
             748          (B) reunification services were offered or provided to the family at those times; [or]
             749          (ix) the parent has abandoned the child for a period of six months or longer; or
             750          (x) any other circumstance that the court determines should preclude reunification
             751      efforts or services.
             752          (b) For purposes of Subsection (3)(a)(ii), the court's finding that a parent is suffering
             753      from a mental illness of such magnitude that it renders the parent incapable of utilizing
             754      reunification services shall be based on competent evidence from mental health professionals
             755      establishing that, even with the provision of services, the parent is unlikely to be capable of
             756      adequately caring for the child within 12 months.
             757          (4) (a) The following shall be considered in determining whether reunification services
             758      are appropriate:
             759          [(4) (a) Failure] (i) failure of the parent to respond to previous services or comply with
             760      any previous treatment plan[,];
             761          (ii) the fact that the child was abused while the parent was under the influence of drugs
             762      or alcohol[,];
             763          (iii) a past history of violent behavior[,];
             764          (iv) whether a parent continues to live with an individual who abused the child[,];
             765          (v) any patterns of the parent's behavior that have exposed the child to repeated abuse[,
             766      or]; and
             767          (vi) testimony by a competent professional that the parent's behavior is unlikely to be
             768      successful[, shall be considered in determining whether reunification services are appropriate].
             769          (b) The court shall also consider whether the parent has expressed an interest in

             770      reunification with the child, in determining whether reunification services are appropriate.
             771          (5) If reunification services are not ordered pursuant to Subsection (3)(a), and the
             772      whereabouts of a parent become known within six months of the out-of-home placement of the
             773      minor, the court may order the division to provide reunification services. The time limits
             774      described in Subsection (2), however, are not tolled by the parent's absence.
             775          (6) (a) If a parent is incarcerated or institutionalized, the court shall order reasonable
             776      services unless it determines that those services would be detrimental to the minor. In
             777      determining detriment, the court shall consider the age of the child, the degree of parent-child
             778      bonding, the length of the sentence, the nature of the treatment, the nature of the crime or
             779      illness, the degree of detriment to the child if services are not offered and, for minors ten years
             780      of age or older, the minor's attitude toward the implementation of family reunification services,
             781      and any other appropriate factors.
             782          (b) Reunification services for an incarcerated parent are subject to the 12-month
             783      limitation imposed in Subsection (2).
             784          (c) Reunification services for an institutionalized parent are subject to the 12-month
             785      limitation imposed in Subsection (2), unless the court determines that continued reunification
             786      services would be in the child's best interest.
             787          (7) If, pursuant to Subsection [(3)(b)(ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), or (x)]
             788      (3)(a), the court does not order reunification services, a permanency hearing shall be conducted
             789      within 30 days, in accordance with Section 78-3a-312 .
             790           H [ Section 10. Section 78-3a-406 is amended to read:
             791          78-3a-406. Notice -- Nature of proceedings.
             792          (1) After a petition for termination of parental rights has been filed, notice of that fact
             793      and of the time and place of the hearing shall be provided, in accordance with the Utah Rules
             794      of Civil Procedure, to the parents, the guardian, the person or agency having legal custody of
             795      the child, and to any person acting in loco parentis to the child.
             796          (2) (a) A hearing shall be held specifically on the question of termination of parental
             797      rights no sooner than ten days after service of summons is complete. A verbatim record of the
             798      proceedings shall be taken and the parties shall be advised of their right to counsel.
             799          (b) The summons shall contain a statement to the effect that the rights of the parent or
             800      parents are proposed to be permanently terminated in the proceedings. That statement may be

             801      contained in the summons originally issued in the proceeding or in a separate summons
             802      subsequently issued.
             803          (3) (a) The proceedings are civil in nature and are governed by the Utah Rules of Civil
             804      Procedure and the Utah Rules of Evidence.
             805          (b) The court shall in all cases require the petitioner to establish the facts [by clear and
             806      convincing evidence] beyond a reasonable doubt, and shall give full and careful consideration
             807      to all of the evidence presented with regard to the constitutional rights and claims of the parent
             808      and, if a parent is found, by reason of [his] the parent's conduct or condition, to be unfit or
             809      incompetent based upon any of the grounds for termination described in this part, the court
             810      shall then consider the welfare and best interest of the child of paramount importance in
             811      determining whether termination of parental rights shall be ordered. ] h
             812          Section H [ 11 ] 10 h . Section 78-3a-912 is amended to read:
             813           78-3a-912. Appointment of attorney guardian ad litem -- Duties and
             814      responsibilities -- Training -- Trained staff and court-appointed special advocate
             815      volunteers -- Costs -- Immunity.
             816          (1) The court may appoint an attorney guardian ad litem to represent the best interest of
             817      a minor involved in any case before the court and shall consider only the best interest of a
             818      minor in determining whether to appoint a guardian ad litem.
             819          (2) [An] (a) The court shall appoint an attorney guardian ad litem [shall] to represent
             820      the best interest of each minor who [may become] is the subject of a petition alleging abuse,
             821      neglect, or dependency, from the date the minor is removed from the minor's home by the
             822      division [of Child and Family Services], or the date the petition is filed, whichever occurs
             823      earlier.
             824          (b) The appointment of an attorney guardian ad litem under Subsection (2)(a) shall be
             825      made in a hearing where the parents of the minor:
             826          (i) have been given notice to be present; and
             827          (ii) have the opportunity to express their preferences and any concerns they may have
             828      relating to the appointment of an attorney guardian ad litem.
             829           S [ (c) H (i) h The minor's parents or guardian have the right to H [refuse] OBJECT TO h the
             829a      appointment of a
             830      particular individual to act as an attorney guardian ad litem as provided in this Subsection
             831      (2) H [(c)] h . ] s

             832           S [ H [(i)] (ii) h If a parent H [refuses] OBJECTS TO h the appointment by the court of a
             832a      particular individual to act as an
             833      attorney guardian ad litem on behalf of the minor, the court H [shall] MAY h appoint another
             833a      individual to
             834      act as an attorney guardian ad litem H [as designated] , INCLUDING A PERSON REQUESTED h by
             834a      the parent or guardian.
             835          H [(ii) The court may refuse the appointment of an individual designated by the parent or
             836      guardian:
             837          (A) who does not meet the minimum qualifications and requirements established in
             838      Subsection 78-7-45 (6)(a); or
             839          (B) for good cause shown on the record.
             840          (iii) If the court refuses to appoint an individual under Subsection (2)(c)(ii), the court
             841      may appoint another individual not previously refused by the parent or guardian.] h
             842          H [(iv)] (iii) h An individual H APPOINTED AS AN ATTORNEY GUARDIAN AD LITEM UNDER
             842a      THIS SUBSECTION (2):
             842b          (A) h is not required to be employed by or under contract with the Office
             843      of the Guardian Ad Litem H [to be appointed as an attorney guardian ad litem in an abuse, neglect,
             844      or dependency case.
             845          (d) Except as provided in Subsection (9)(b)(ii), if a parent or guardian refuses the
             846      appointment of a guardian ad litem employed by or under contract with the Office of the
             847      Guardian Ad Litem, the parent is responsible for all costs incurred from the appointment of a
             848      private attorney guardian ad litem to represent the best interest of the minor.] ; AND
             848a          ( B) SHALL MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN
             848b      SUBSECTION 78-7-45(6)(a) . h
             849          H [(e) (i)] (d)(i) h At any time the minor's parents or guardian may:
             850          H [(A) petition the court to release a particular attorney guardian ad litem from a case; and
             851          (B)] (A) h petition the court for a report of the activities of the attorney guardian ad litem
             852      relating to the minor H ; AND
             852a           (B) PETITION THE COURT TO RELEASE A PARTICULAR ATTORNEY GUARDIAN AD LITEM
             852b      FROM A CASE h .
             853          (ii) If a petition is made under Subsection (2) H [(e)(i)(B)] (d)(i)( [B)] (A) h , the court
             853a      shall order
             853a      the
             854      guardian ad litem to provide the information to the parents or guardian in a timely manner. ] s
             855          (3) [The] If the court appoints an attorney guardian ad litem employed by or under
             856      contract with the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem, the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem

             857      Director, through [an] the attorney guardian ad litem, shall:
             858          (a) represent the best interest of the minor in all proceedings;
             859          (b) be trained in applicable statutory, regulatory, and case law, and in accordance with
             860      the United States Department of Justice National Court Appointed Special Advocate
             861      Association guidelines, prior to representing any minor before the court;
             862          (c) conduct or supervise an independent investigation in order to obtain first-hand, a

             863      clear understanding of the situation and needs of the child;
             864          (d) personally meet with the minor, personally interview the minor if the minor is old
             865      enough to communicate, determine the minor's goals and concerns regarding placement, and
             866      personally assess or supervise an assessment of the appropriateness and safety of the minor's
             867      environment in each placement;
             868          (e) file written motions, responses, or objections at all stages of a proceeding when
             869      necessary to protect the best interest of a minor;
             870          (f) personally or through a trained volunteer, paralegal, or other trained staff, attend all
             871      administrative and foster care citizen review board hearings pertaining to the minor's case;
             872          (g) participate in all appeals unless excused by order of the court;
             873          (h) be familiar with local experts who can provide consultation and testimony
             874      regarding the reasonableness and appropriateness of efforts made by the division [of Child and
             875      Family Services] to maintain a minor in the minor's home or to reunify a minor with the
             876      minor's parent;
             877          (i) to the extent possible, and unless it would be detrimental to the minor, personally or
             878      through a trained volunteer, paralegal, or other trained staff, keep the minor advised of the
             879      status of the minor's case, all court and administrative proceedings, discussions, and proposals
             880      made by other parties, court action, and psychiatric, medical, or other treatment or diagnostic
             881      services that are to be provided to the minor;
             882          (j) review proposed orders for, and as requested by the court, prepare proposed orders
             883      with clear and specific directions regarding services, treatment, and evaluation, assessment, and
             884      protection of the minor and the minor's family; [and]
             885          (k) personally or through a trained volunteer, paralegal, or other trained staff, monitor
             886      implementation of a minor's treatment plan and any dispositional orders:
             887          (i) to determine whether services ordered by the court:
             888          (A) are actually provided[,]; and
             889          (B) are provided in a timely manner[,]; and
             890          (ii) attempt to assess whether they are accomplishing their intended goal[.]; and
             891          (l) unless otherwise directed by the court, communicate with the parents or guardian of
             892      the minor and give consideration to their concerns and goals for the minor.
             893          (4) If the court appoints an attorney guardian ad litem who is not employed by or under

             894      contract with the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem, the attorney guardian ad litem shall S [ meet ]
             894a      COMPLY WITH s
             895      the requirements of Subsection (3).
             896          (5) An attorney guardian ad litem appointed under Subsection (2) H [ (a) ] h may not be the
             897      attorney responsible for presenting the evidence alleging child abuse, neglect, or dependency.
             898          (6) Upon appointment of an attorney guardian ad litem under Subsection (2) H [ (a) ] h , the
             899      court shall advise the attorney guardian ad litem of his duty:
             900          (a) to represent the best interest of the minor in all proceedings; and
             901          (b) to fulfill the duties set forth in Subsection (3).
             902          [(4)] (7) (a) An attorney guardian ad litem may use trained volunteers, in accordance
             903      with Title 67, Chapter 20, Volunteer Government Workers Act, trained paralegals, and other
             904      trained staff to assist in investigation and preparation of information regarding the cases of
             905      individual minors before the court. An attorney guardian ad litem may not, however, delegate
             906      the attorney's responsibilities described in Subsection (3).
             907          (b) All volunteers, paralegals, and staff utilized pursuant to this section shall be trained
             908      in and follow, at a minimum, the guidelines established by the United States Department of
             909      Justice Court Appointed Special Advocate Association.
             910          (c) The court may use volunteers trained in accordance with the requirements of
             911      Subsection [(4)] (7)(b) to assist in investigation and preparation of information regarding the
             912      cases of individual minors within the jurisdiction.
             913          (d) When possible and appropriate, the court may use a volunteer who is a peer of the
             914      minor appearing before the court, in order to provide assistance to that minor, under the
             915      supervision of an attorney guardian ad litem or the attorney's trained volunteer, paralegal, or
             916      other trained staff.
             917          [(5)] (8) The attorney guardian ad litem shall continue to represent the best interest of
             918      the minor until released from duties by the court.
             919          [(6)] (9) (a) H [ [ ] The [ ] ] [ Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c)(i), the ] h juvenile court is
             920      responsible for all costs resulting from the appointment of an attorney guardian ad litem and
             921      the costs of volunteer, paralegal, and other staff appointment and training, and shall use funds
             922      appropriated by the Legislature for the guardian ad litem program to cover those costs.
             923          (b) (i) When the court appoints an attorney guardian ad litem under this section, the
             924      court may assess all or part of the attorney's fees, court costs, and paralegal, staff, and volunteer

             925      expenses against the minor's parents, parent, or legal guardian in a proportion that the court
             926      determines to be just and appropriate.
             927          (ii) The court may not assess those fees or costs against a legal guardian, when that
             928      guardian is the state, or against a parent who is found to be impecunious. If a person claims to
             929      be impecunious, the court shall require of that person an affidavit of impecuniosity as provided
             930      in Section 78-7-36 and the court shall follow the procedures and make the determinations as
             931      provided in Section 78-7-36 .
             932          [(7)] (10) An attorney guardian ad litem appointed under this section, when serving in
             933      the scope of [his] the attorney guardian ad litem's duties as guardian ad litem is considered an
             934      employee of the state for purposes of indemnification under Title 63, Chapter 30, Utah
             935      Governmental Immunity Act.
             936          [(8)] (11) (a) An attorney guardian ad litem shall represent the best interest of a minor.
             937          (b) If the minor's wishes differ from the attorney's determination of the minor's best
             938      interest, the attorney guardian ad litem shall communicate the minor's wishes to the court in
             939      addition to presenting the attorney's determination of the minor's best interest. A difference
             940      between the minor's wishes and the attorney's determination of best interest may not be
             941      considered a conflict of interest for the attorney.
             942          [(b)] (c) The court may appoint one attorney guardian ad litem to represent the best
             943      interests of more than one minor child of a marriage.
             944          [(9)] (12) An attorney guardian ad litem shall be provided access to all division [of
             945      Child and Family Services] records regarding the minor at issue and the minor's family.
             946          [(10)] (13) An attorney guardian ad litem shall maintain current and accurate records
             947      regarding the number of times the attorney has had contact with each minor and the actions the
             948      attorney has taken in representation of the minor's best interest.
             949          [(11)] (14) (a) Except as provided in Subsection [(11)] (14)(b), all records of an
             950      attorney guardian ad litem are confidential and may not be released or made public upon
             951      subpoena, search warrant, discovery proceedings, by authorization or order of a court, or
             952      otherwise. This Subsection (14)(a) supersedes Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records
             953      Access and Management Act.
             954          (b) All records of an attorney guardian ad litem are subject to legislative subpoena,
             955      under Title 36, Chapter 14, Legislative Subpoena Powers, and shall be released to the

             956      Legislature.
             957          (c) Records released in accordance with Subsection [(11)] (14)(b) shall be maintained
             958      as confidential by the Legislature. The Office of the Legislative Auditor General may,
             959      however, include summary data and nonidentifying information in its audits and reports to the
             960      Legislature.
             961          (d) Because of the unique role of an attorney guardian ad litem described in Subsection
             962      [(8)] (11), and the state's role and responsibility to provide a guardian ad litem program and, as
             963      parens patriae, to protect minors, Subsection [(11)] (14)(b) constitutes an exception to Rules of
             964      Professional Conduct, Rule 1.6, as provided by Rule 1.6(b)(4). A claim of attorney-client
             965      privilege does not bar access to the records of an attorney guardian ad litem by the Legislature,
             966      through legislative subpoena. This is the only exception to the Rules of Professional Conduct
             967      for an attorney guardian ad litem.
             968          (15) An attorney guardian ad litem may not make public statements, H OR h grant
             968a      interviews H [ ,
             969      or otherwise communicate information ] h that will be disclosed publicly outside of the juvenile
             970      court H , h about a child abuse, neglect, or dependency case, even if the H [ communication ]
             970a      STATEMENT OR INTERVIEW h does not
             971      involve the disclosure of a record that is private, controlled, or protected under Title 63,
             972      Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             973          Section H [ 12 ] 11 h . Section 78-7-45 is amended to read:
             974           78-7-45. Private attorney guardian ad litem -- Appointment -- Costs and fees --
             975      Duties -- Conflicts of interest -- Pro bono obligation -- Indemnification -- Minimum
             976      qualifications.
             977          (1) (a) The court may appoint a private attorney as guardian ad litem to represent the
             978      best interests of the minor in any district court action in which the custody of or visitation with
             979      a minor is at issue. The attorney guardian ad litem shall be certified by the Director of the
             980      Office of the Guardian Ad Litem as having met the minimum qualifications for appointment,
             981      but shall not be employed by or under contract with the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem.
             982          (b) If an attorney guardian ad litem has been appointed for the minor in any prior or
             983      concurrent action and that attorney guardian ad litem is available, the court shall appoint that
             984      attorney guardian ad litem, unless good cause is shown why another attorney guardian ad litem
             985      should be appointed.
             986          (c) If, after appointment of the attorney guardian ad litem, an allegation of abuse,

             987      neglect, or dependency of the minor is made the court shall:
             988          (i) determine whether it is in the best interests of the minor to continue the
             989      appointment; or
             990          (ii) order the withdrawal of the private attorney guardian ad litem and [appoint], in the
             991      manner set forth in Subsection 78-3a-912 (2), appoint either:
             992          (A) the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem[.]; or
             993          (B) another private attorney guardian ad litem.
             994          (2) (a) The court shall assess all or part of the attorney guardian ad litem fees, courts
             995      costs, and paralegal, staff, and volunteer expenses against the parties in a proportion the court
             996      determines to be just.
             997          (b) If the court finds a party to be impecunious, under the provisions of Section
             998      78-7-36 , the court may direct the impecunious party's share of the assessment to be covered by
             999      the attorney guardian ad litem pro bono obligation established in Subsection (6)(b).
             1000          (3) The attorney guardian ad litem appointed under the provisions of this section shall:
             1001          (a) represent the best interests of the minor from the date of the appointment until
             1002      released by the court;
             1003          (b) conduct or supervise an independent investigation in order to obtain a clear
             1004      understanding of the situation and needs of the minor;
             1005          (c) interview witnesses and review relevant records pertaining to the minor and the
             1006      minor's family, including medical, psychological, and school records;
             1007          (d) if the minor is old enough to communicate and unless it would be detrimental to the
             1008      minor:
             1009          (i) meet with and interview the minor;
             1010          (ii) determine the minor's goals and concerns regarding custody or visitation; and
             1011          (iii) counsel the minor regarding the nature, purpose, status, and implications of the
             1012      case, of hearings, of recommendations, and proposals by parties and of court orders;
             1013          (e) conduct discovery, file pleadings and other papers, prepare and review orders, and
             1014      otherwise comply with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure as necessary to protect the best
             1015      interest of the minor;
             1016          (f) unless excused by the court, prepare for and attend all mediation hearings and all
             1017      court conferences and hearings, and present witnesses and exhibits as necessary to protect the

             1018      best interests of the minor;
             1019          (g) identify community resources to protect the best interests of the minor and advocate
             1020      for those resources; and
             1021          (h) participate in all appeals unless excused by the court.
             1022          (4) (a) The attorney guardian ad litem shall represent the best interests of a minor. If
             1023      the minor's wishes differ from the attorney's determination of the minor's best interests, the
             1024      attorney guardian ad litem shall communicate to the court the minor's wishes and the attorney's
             1025      determination of the minor's best interests. A difference between the minor's wishes and the
             1026      attorney's determination of best interests is not sufficient to create a conflict of interest.
             1027          (b) The court may appoint one attorney guardian ad litem to represent the best interests
             1028      of more than one minor child of a marriage.
             1029          (5) An attorney guardian ad litem appointed under this section is immune from any
             1030      civil liability that might result by reason of acts performed within the scope of duties of the
             1031      attorney guardian ad litem.
             1032          (6) (a) Upon the advice of the Director of the Office of the Guardian Ad Litem, the
             1033      Judicial Council shall by rule establish the minimum qualifications and requirements for
             1034      appointment by the court as an attorney guardian ad litem.
             1035          (b) An attorney guardian ad litem may be required to appear pro bono in one case for
             1036      every five cases in which the attorney is appointed with compensation.
             1037          (7) This section shall be effective in the Second, Third, and Fourth Judicial Districts on
             1038      July 1, 2001, and in the remaining judicial districts of the state on July 1, 2002.
             1039          Section 13. Repealer.
             1040          This bill repeals:
             1041          Section 78-3a-305.1, Presumption of responsibility.
             1042          Section 14. Effective date.
             1043          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.

[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]