Download Zipped Amended WordPerfect SB0081.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

S.B. 81

This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Feb 19, 2004 at 3:27 PM by rday. -->              1     

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES - PLEA IN

             2     
ABEYANCE

             3     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Parley G. Hellewell

             6     

             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends child and family services provisions in the Utah Human Services
             10      Code.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    makes a technical change that requires a court to enter a finding rather than make a
             14      determination.
             15      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             16          None
             17      Other Special Clauses:
             18          None
             19      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             20      AMENDS:
             21          62A-4a-116.5, as last amended by Chapter 210, Laws of Utah 2003
             22     

             23      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             24          Section 1. Section 62A-4a-116.5 is amended to read:
             25           62A-4a-116.5. Notice and opportunity to challenge supported finding in
             26      Management Information System -- Right of judicial review.
             27          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), the division shall send a notice of agency



Text Box

- 2 -
             28
     action to a person with respect to whom the division makes a supported finding. In addition, if
             29      the alleged perpetrator is under the age of 18, the division shall:
             30          (i) make reasonable efforts to identify the alleged perpetrator's parent or guardian; and
             31          (ii) send a notice to each parent or guardian identified under Subsection (1)(a)(i) that
             32      lives at a different address, unless there is good cause, as defined by rule, for not sending a
             33      notice to a parent or guardian.
             34          (b) Nothing in this section may be construed as affecting:
             35          (i) the manner in which the division conducts an investigation; or
             36          (ii) the use or effect, in any other setting, of a supported finding by the division at the
             37      completion of an investigation for any purpose other than for notification under Subsection (1)
             38      (a).
             39          (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who has been served with notice under
             40      Subsection 62A-4a-116.1 (1)(a).
             41          (3) The notice described in Subsection (1) shall state:
             42          (a) that the division has conducted an investigation regarding alleged child abuse,
             43      neglect, or dependency;
             44          (b) that the division has made a supported finding of abuse, neglect, or dependency;
             45          (c) that facts gathered by the division support the supported finding;
             46          (d) that the person has the right to request:
             47          (i) a copy of the report; and
             48          (ii) an opportunity to challenge the supported finding by the division; and
             49          (e) that failure to request an opportunity to challenge the supported finding within 30
             50      days of receiving the notice will result in an unappealable supported finding of child abuse,
             51      neglect, or dependency unless the person can show good cause for why compliance within the
             52      30-day requirement was virtually impossible or unreasonably burdensome.
             53          (4) (a) A person may make a request to challenge a supported finding within 30 days of
             54      a notice being received under this section.
             55          (b) Upon receipt of a request under Subsection (4)(a), the Office of Administrative
             56      Hearings shall hold an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 46b,
             57      Administrative Procedures Act.
             58          (5) (a) In an adjudicative proceeding held pursuant to this section, the division shall



Text Box

- 3 -
Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 2-19-2004 rd/sms
             59
     have the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that there is a reasonable basis
             60      to conclude that child abuse, neglect, or dependency occurred and that the alleged perpetrator
             61      was substantially responsible for the abuse or neglect that occurred.
             62          (b) Any party shall have the right of judicial review of final agency action, in
             63      accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative Procedures Act.
             64          (6) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an alleged perpetrator who, after
             65      receiving notice, fails to challenge a supported finding in accordance with this section, may not
             66      further challenge the finding and shall have no right to agency review or to an adjudicative
             67      hearing or judicial review of the finding.
             68          (7) (a) An alleged perpetrator may not make a request under Subsection (4) to
             69      challenge a supported finding if a court of competent jurisdiction [has made a determination]
             70      entered a finding, in a proceeding in which the alleged perpetrator was a party, that the alleged
             71      perpetrator is substantially responsible for the abuse, neglect, or dependency which was also
             72      the subject of the supported finding. S THIS SUBSECTION (7)(a) DOES NOT APPLY TO PLEAS IN
             72a      ABEYANCE OR DIVERSION AGREEMENTS. s
             73          (b) An adjudicative proceeding under Subsection (5) may be stayed during the time a
             74      judicial action on the same matter is pending.
             75          (8) An adjudicative proceeding on a supported finding of one of the nonsevere types of
             76      abuse or neglect under Section 78-3a-320 may be joined in the juvenile court with an
             77      adjudicative proceeding on a supported finding of a severe type of abuse or neglect.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-22-03 7:37 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]