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H.B. 216 Enrolled

             1     

REUNIFICATION SERVICES AMENDMENTS

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Merlynn T. Newbold

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Allen M. Christensen

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions of the Juvenile Court Act of 1996 relating to the provision
             10      of reunification services.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines terms;
             14          .    creates a presumption that reunification services should not be provided to a birth
             15      mother if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the child has fetal
             16      alcohol syndrome or was exposed to an illegal or prescription drug that was abused
             17      by the child's mother while the child was in utero, if the child was taken into
             18      custody for that reason, unless the mother agrees to enroll in, is currently enrolled
             19      in, or has recently and successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program
             20      approved by the Department of Human Services;
             21          .    permits a judge to waive the provisions of this bill under certain circumstances; and
             22          .    makes technical changes.
             23      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             24          None
             25      Other Special Clauses:
             26          None
             27      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             28      AMENDS:
             29          62A-4a-205, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 161


             30          78A-6-312, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 322
             31     
             32      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             33          Section 1. Section 62A-4a-205 is amended to read:
             34           62A-4a-205. Child and family plan -- Parent-time.
             35          (1) No more than 45 days after a child enters the temporary custody of the division, the
             36      child's child and family plan shall be finalized.
             37          (2) (a) The division may use an interdisciplinary team approach in developing each
             38      child and family plan.
             39          (b) The interdisciplinary team described in Subsection (2)(a) may include
             40      representatives from the following fields:
             41          (i) mental health;
             42          (ii) education; and
             43          (iii) if appropriate, law enforcement.
             44          (3) (a) The division shall involve all of the following in the development of a child's
             45      child and family plan:
             46          (i) both of the child's natural parents, unless the whereabouts of a parent are unknown;
             47          (ii) the child;
             48          (iii) the child's foster parents; and
             49          (iv) if appropriate, the child's stepparent.
             50          (b) In relation to all information considered by the division in developing a child and
             51      family plan, additional weight and attention shall be given to the input of the child's natural and
             52      foster parents upon their involvement pursuant to Subsections (3)(a)(i) and (iii).
             53          (c) (i) The division shall make a substantial effort to develop a child and family plan
             54      with which the child's parents agree.
             55          (ii) If a parent does not agree with a child and family plan:
             56          (A) the division shall strive to resolve the disagreement between the division and the
             57      parent; and


             58          (B) if the disagreement is not resolved, the division shall inform the court of the
             59      disagreement.
             60          (4) A copy of the child and family plan shall, immediately upon completion, or as soon
             61      as reasonably possible thereafter, be provided to the:
             62          (a) guardian ad litem;
             63          (b) child's natural parents; and
             64          (c) child's foster parents.
             65          (5) Each child and family plan shall:
             66          (a) specifically provide for the safety of the child, in accordance with federal law; and
             67          (b) clearly define what actions or precautions will, or may be, necessary to provide for
             68      the health, safety, protection, and welfare of the child.
             69          (6) The child and family plan shall set forth, with specificity, at least the following:
             70          (a) the reason the child entered into the custody of the division;
             71          (b) documentation of the:
             72          (i) reasonable efforts made to prevent placement of the child in the custody of the
             73      division; or
             74          (ii) emergency situation that existed and that prevented the reasonable efforts described
             75      in Subsection (6)(b)(i), from being made;
             76          (c) the primary permanency goal for the child and the reason for selection of that goal;
             77          (d) the concurrent permanency goal for the child and the reason for the selection of that
             78      goal;
             79          (e) if the plan is for the child to return to the child's family:
             80          (i) specifically what the parents must do in order to enable the child to be returned
             81      home;
             82          (ii) specifically how the requirements described in Subsection (6)(e)(i) may be
             83      accomplished; and
             84          (iii) how the requirements described in Subsection (6)(e)(i) will be measured;
             85          (f) the specific services needed to reduce the problems that necessitated placing the


             86      child in the division's custody;
             87          (g) the name of the person who will provide for and be responsible for case
             88      management;
             89          (h) subject to Subsection (10), a parent-time schedule between the natural parent and
             90      the child;
             91          (i) subject to Subsection (7), the health and mental health care to be provided to
             92      address any known or diagnosed mental health needs of the child;
             93          (j) if residential treatment rather than a foster home is the proposed placement, a
             94      requirement for a specialized assessment of the child's health needs including an assessment of
             95      mental illness and behavior and conduct disorders; and
             96          (k) social summaries that include case history information pertinent to case planning.
             97          (7) (a) Subject to Subsection (7)(b), in addition to the information required under
             98      Subsection (6)(i), the plan shall include a specialized assessment of the medical and mental
             99      health needs of a child, if the child:
             100          (i) is placed in residential treatment; and
             101          (ii) has medical or mental health issues that need to be addressed.
             102          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (7)(a), a parent shall retain the right to seek a separate
             103      medical or mental health diagnosis of the parent's child from a licensed practitioner of the
             104      parent's choice.
             105          (8) (a) Each child and family plan shall be specific to each child and the child's family,
             106      rather than general.
             107          (b) The division shall train its workers to develop child and family plans that comply
             108      with:
             109          (i) federal mandates; and
             110          (ii) the specific needs of the particular child and the child's family.
             111          (c) All child and family plans and expectations shall be individualized and contain
             112      specific time frames.
             113          (d) Subject to Subsection (8)(h), child and family plans shall address problems that:


             114          (i) keep a child in placement; and
             115          (ii) keep a child from achieving permanence in the child's life.
             116          (e) Each child and family plan shall be designed to minimize disruption to the normal
             117      activities of the child's family, including employment and school.
             118          (f) In particular, the time, place, and amount of services, hearings, and other
             119      requirements ordered by the court in the child and family plan shall be designed, as much as
             120      practicable, to help the child's parents maintain or obtain employment.
             121          (g) The child's natural parents, foster parents, and where appropriate, stepparents, shall
             122      be kept informed of and supported to participate in important meetings and procedures related
             123      to the child's placement.
             124          (h) For purposes of Subsection (8)(d), a child and family plan may only include
             125      requirements that:
             126          (i) address findings made by the court; or
             127          (ii) (A) are requested or consented to by a parent or guardian of the child; and
             128          (B) are agreed to by the division and the guardian ad litem.
             129          (9) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (9)(b), with regard to a child who is three
             130      years of age or younger, if the goal is not to return the child home, the permanency plan for that
             131      child shall be adoption.
             132          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (9)(a), if the division documents to the court that there
             133      is a compelling reason that adoption, reunification, guardianship, and a placement described in
             134      Subsection 78A-6-306 (6)(e) are not in the child's best interest, the court may order another
             135      planned permanent living arrangement in accordance with federal law.
             136          (10) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (10)(b), parent-time may only be denied by a
             137      court order issued pursuant to Subsections 78A-6-312 [(2)(a)(ii) and (b)](3), (6), and (7).
             138          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (10)(a), the person designated by the division or a
             139      court to supervise a parent-time session may deny parent-time for that session if the supervising
             140      person determines that, based on the parent's condition, it is necessary to deny parent-time in
             141      order to:


             142          (i) protect the physical safety of the child;
             143          (ii) protect the life of the child; or
             144          (iii) consistent with Subsection (10)(c), prevent the child from being traumatized by
             145      contact with the parent.
             146          (c) In determining whether the condition of the parent described in Subsection (10)(b)
             147      will traumatize a child, the person supervising the parent-time session shall consider the impact
             148      that the parent's condition will have on the child in light of:
             149          (i) the child's fear of the parent; and
             150          (ii) the nature of the alleged abuse or neglect.
             151          Section 2. Section 78A-6-312 is amended to read:
             152           78A-6-312. Dispositional hearing -- Reunification services -- Exceptions.
             153          (1) The court may:
             154          (a) make any of the dispositions described in Section 78A-6-117 ;
             155          (b) place the minor in the custody or guardianship of any:
             156          (i) individual; or
             157          (ii) public or private entity or agency; or
             158          (c) order:
             159          (i) protective supervision;
             160          (ii) family preservation;
             161          (iii) subject to Subsection 78A-6-117 (2)(n)(iii), medical or mental health treatment; or
             162          (iv) other services.
             163          (2) [(a) (i)] Whenever the court orders continued removal at the dispositional hearing,
             164      and that the minor remain in the custody of the division, the court shall first:
             165          [(A)] (a) establish a primary permanency goal for the minor; and
             166          [(B)] (b) determine whether, in view of the primary permanency goal, reunification
             167      services are appropriate for the minor and the minor's family, pursuant to [Subsection (3)]
             168      Subsections (20) through (22).
             169          [(ii)] (3) Subject to [Subsection (2)(b)] Subsections (6) and (7), if the court determines


             170      that reunification services are appropriate for the minor and the minor's family, the court shall
             171      provide for reasonable parent-time with the parent or parents from whose custody the minor
             172      was removed, unless parent-time is not in the best interest of the minor.
             173          [(iii) (A)] (4) In cases where obvious sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, abandonment,
             174      severe abuse, or severe neglect are involved, neither the division nor the court has any duty to
             175      make "reasonable efforts" or to, in any other way, attempt to provide reunification services, or
             176      to attempt to rehabilitate the offending parent or parents.
             177          [(B)] (5) In all cases, the minor's health, safety, and welfare shall be the court's
             178      paramount concern in determining whether reasonable efforts to reunify should be made.
             179          [(b) (i)] (6) For purposes of Subsection [(2)(a)(ii)] (3), parent-time is in the best
             180      interests of a minor unless the court makes a finding that it is necessary to deny parent-time in
             181      order to:
             182          [(A)] (a) protect the physical safety of the minor;
             183          [(B)] (b) protect the life of the minor; or
             184          [(C)] (c) prevent the minor from being traumatized by contact with the parent due to
             185      the minor's fear of the parent in light of the nature of the alleged abuse or neglect.
             186          [(ii)] (7) Notwithstanding Subsection [(2)(a)(ii)] (3), a court may not deny parent-time
             187      based solely on a parent's failure to:
             188          [(A)] (a) prove that the parent has not used legal or illegal substances; or
             189          [(B)] (b) comply with an aspect of the child and family plan that is ordered by the
             190      court.
             191          [(c) (i)] (8) In addition to the primary permanency goal, the court shall establish a
             192      concurrent permanency goal that shall include:
             193          [(A)] (a) a representative list of the conditions under which the primary permanency
             194      goal will be abandoned in favor of the concurrent permanency goal; and
             195          [(B)] (b) an explanation of the effect of abandoning or modifying the primary
             196      permanency goal.
             197          [(ii)] (9) A permanency hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Subsection


             198      78A-6-314 (1)(b) within 30 days after the day on which the dispositional hearing ends if
             199      something other than reunification is initially established as a minor's primary permanency
             200      goal.
             201          [(iii) (A)] (10) (a) The court may amend a minor's primary permanency goal before the
             202      establishment of a final permanency plan under Section 78A-6-314 .
             203          [(B)] (b) The court is not limited to the terms of the concurrent permanency goal in the
             204      event that the primary permanency goal is abandoned.
             205          [(C)] (c) If, at any time, the court determines that reunification is no longer a minor's
             206      primary permanency goal, the court shall conduct a permanency hearing in accordance with
             207      Section 78A-6-314 on or before the earlier of:
             208          [(I)] (i) 30 days after the day on which the court makes the determination described in
             209      this Subsection [(2)(c)(iii)(C)] (10)(c); or
             210          [(II)] (ii) the day on which the provision of reunification services, described in Section
             211      78A-6-314 , ends.
             212          [(d) (i) (A)] (11) (a) If the court determines that reunification services are appropriate,
             213      it shall order that the division make reasonable efforts to provide services to the minor and the
             214      minor's parent for the purpose of facilitating reunification of the family, for a specified period
             215      of time.
             216          [(B)] (b) In providing the services described in Subsection [(2)(d)(i)(A)] (11)(a), the
             217      minor's health, safety, and welfare shall be the division's paramount concern, and the court
             218      shall so order.
             219          [(ii)] (12) The court shall:
             220          [(A)] (a) determine whether the services offered or provided by the division under the
             221      child and family plan constitute "reasonable efforts" on the part of the division;
             222          [(B)] (b) determine and define the responsibilities of the parent under the child and
             223      family plan in accordance with Subsection 62A-4a-205 (6)(e); and
             224          [(C)] (c) identify on the record the responsibilities described in Subsection
             225      [(2)(d)(ii)(B)] (12)(b), for the purpose of assisting in any future determination regarding the


             226      provision of reasonable efforts, in accordance with state and federal law.
             227          [(iii) (A)] (13) (a) The time period for reunification services may not exceed 12 months
             228      from the date that the minor was initially removed from the minor's home, unless the time
             229      period is extended under Subsection 78A-6-314 (8).
             230          [(B)] (b) Nothing in this section may be construed to entitle any parent to an entire 12
             231      months of reunification services.
             232          [(iv)] (14) (a) If reunification services are ordered, the court may terminate those
             233      services at any time.
             234          [(v)] (b) If, at any time, continuation of reasonable efforts to reunify a minor is
             235      determined to be inconsistent with the final permanency plan for the minor established
             236      pursuant to Section 78A-6-314 , then measures shall be taken, in a timely manner, to:
             237          [(A)] (i) place the minor in accordance with the permanency plan; and
             238          [(B)] (ii) complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of
             239      the minor.
             240          [(e)] (15) Any physical custody of the minor by the parent or a relative during the
             241      period described in [Subsection (2)(d)] Subsections (11) through (14) does not interrupt the
             242      running of the period.
             243          [(f) (i)] (16) (a) If reunification services are ordered, a permanency hearing shall be
             244      conducted by the court in accordance with Section 78A-6-314 at the expiration of the time
             245      period for reunification services.
             246          [(ii)] (b) The permanency hearing shall be held no later than 12 months after the
             247      original removal of the minor.
             248          [(iii)] (c) If reunification services are not ordered, a permanency hearing shall be
             249      conducted within 30 days, in accordance with Section 78A-6-314 .
             250          [(g)] (17) With regard to a minor who is 36 months of age or younger at the time the
             251      minor is initially removed from the home, the court shall:
             252          [(i)] (a) hold a permanency hearing eight months after the date of the initial removal,
             253      pursuant to Section 78A-6-314 ; and


             254          [(ii)] (b) order the discontinuance of those services after eight months from the initial
             255      removal of the minor from the home if the parent or parents have not made substantial efforts
             256      to comply with the child and family plan.
             257          [(h)] (18) With regard to a minor in the custody of the division whose parent or parents
             258      are ordered to receive reunification services but who have abandoned that minor for a period of
             259      six months from the date that reunification services were ordered:
             260          [(i)] (a) the court shall terminate reunification services; and
             261          [(ii)] (b) the division shall petition the court for termination of parental rights.
             262          [(i)] (19) When a court conducts a permanency hearing for a minor under Section
             263      78A-6-314 , the court shall attempt to keep the minor's sibling group together if keeping the
             264      sibling group together is:
             265          [(i)] (a) practicable; and
             266          [(ii)] (b) in accordance with the best interest of the minor.
             267          [(3)] (20) (a) Because of the state's interest in and responsibility to protect and provide
             268      permanency for minors who are abused, neglected, or dependent, the Legislature finds that a
             269      parent's interest in receiving reunification services is limited.
             270          (b) The court may determine that:
             271          (i) efforts to reunify a minor with the minor's family are not reasonable or appropriate,
             272      based on the individual circumstances; and
             273          (ii) reunification services should not be provided.
             274          (c) In determining "reasonable efforts" to be made with respect to a minor, and in
             275      making "reasonable efforts," the minor's health, safety, and welfare shall be the paramount
             276      concern.
             277          [(d) (i)] (21) There is a presumption that reunification services should not be provided
             278      to a parent if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that any of the following
             279      circumstances exist:
             280          [(A)] (a) the whereabouts of the parents are unknown, based upon a verified affidavit
             281      indicating that a reasonably diligent search has failed to locate the parent;


             282          [(B)] (b) subject to Subsection [(3)(d)(ii)] (22)(a), the parent is suffering from a mental
             283      illness of such magnitude that it renders the parent incapable of utilizing reunification services;
             284          [(C)] (c) the minor was previously adjudicated as an abused child due to physical
             285      abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation, and following the adjudication the minor:
             286          [(I)] (i) was removed from the custody of the minor's parent;
             287          [(II)] (ii) was subsequently returned to the custody of the parent; and
             288          [(III)] (iii) is being removed due to additional physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual
             289      exploitation;
             290          [(D)] (d) the parent:
             291          [(I)] (i) caused the death of another minor through abuse or neglect; or
             292          [(II)] (ii) committed, aided, abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit:
             293          [(Aa)] (A) murder or manslaughter of a child; or
             294          [(Bb)] (B) child abuse homicide;
             295          [(E)] (e) the minor suffered severe abuse by the parent or by any person known by the
             296      parent, if the parent knew or reasonably should have known that the person was abusing the
             297      minor;
             298          [(F)] (f) the minor is adjudicated an abused child as a result of severe abuse by the
             299      parent, and the court finds that it would not benefit the minor to pursue reunification services
             300      with the offending parent;
             301          [(G)] (g) the parent's rights are terminated with regard to any other minor;
             302          [(H)] (h) the minor is removed from the minor's home on at least two previous
             303      occasions and reunification services were offered or provided to the family at those times;
             304          [(I)] (i) the parent has abandoned the minor for a period of six months or longer;
             305          [(J)] (j) the parent permitted the child to reside, on a permanent or temporary basis, at a
             306      location where the parent knew or should have known that a clandestine laboratory operation
             307      was located; [or]
             308          (k) except as provided in Subsection (22)(b), with respect to a parent who is the child's
             309      birth mother, the child has fetal alcohol syndrome or was exposed to an illegal or prescription


             310      drug that was abused by the child's mother while the child was in utero, if the child was taken
             311      into division custody for that reason, unless the mother agrees to enroll in, is currently enrolled
             312      in, or has recently and successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program approved
             313      by the department; or
             314          [(K)] (l) any other circumstance that the court determines should preclude reunification
             315      efforts or services.
             316          [(ii)] (22) (a) The finding under Subsection [(3)(d)(i)(B)] (21)(b) shall be based on
             317      competent evidence from at least two medical or mental health professionals, who are not
             318      associates, establishing that, even with the provision of services, the parent is not likely to be
             319      capable of adequately caring for the minor within 12 months after the day on which the court
             320      finding is made.
             321          (b) A judge may disregard the provisions of Subsection (21)(k) if the court finds, under
             322      the circumstances of the case, that the substance abuse treatment described in Subsection
             323      (21)(k) is not warranted.
             324          [(4)] (23) In determining whether reunification services are appropriate, the court shall
             325      take into consideration:
             326          (a) failure of the parent to respond to previous services or comply with a previous child
             327      and family plan;
             328          (b) the fact that the minor was abused while the parent was under the influence of
             329      drugs or alcohol;
             330          (c) any history of violent behavior directed at the child or an immediate family
             331      member;
             332          (d) whether a parent continues to live with an individual who abused the minor;
             333          (e) any patterns of the parent's behavior that have exposed the minor to repeated abuse;
             334          (f) testimony by a competent professional that the parent's behavior is unlikely to be
             335      successful; and
             336          (g) whether the parent has expressed an interest in reunification with the minor.
             337          [(5)] (24) (a) If reunification services are not ordered pursuant to [Subsection (3)]


             338      Subsections (20) through (22), and the whereabouts of a parent become known within six
             339      months after the day on which the out-of-home placement of the minor is made, the court may
             340      order the division to provide reunification services.
             341          (b) The time limits described in [Subsection (2)] Subsections (2) through (19) are not
             342      tolled by the parent's absence.
             343          [(6)] (25) (a) If a parent is incarcerated or institutionalized, the court shall order
             344      reasonable services unless it determines that those services would be detrimental to the minor.
             345          (b) In making the determination described in Subsection [(6)] (25)(a), the court shall
             346      consider:
             347          (i) the age of the minor;
             348          (ii) the degree of parent-child bonding;
             349          (iii) the length of the sentence;
             350          (iv) the nature of the treatment;
             351          (v) the nature of the crime or illness;
             352          (vi) the degree of detriment to the minor if services are not offered;
             353          (vii) for a minor 10 years of age or older, the minor's attitude toward the
             354      implementation of family reunification services; and
             355          (viii) any other appropriate factors.
             356          (c) Reunification services for an incarcerated parent are subject to the time [limitation]
             357      limitations imposed in [Subsection (2)] Subsections (2) through (19).
             358          (d) Reunification services for an institutionalized parent are subject to the time
             359      [limitation] limitations imposed in [Subsection (2)] Subsections (2) through (19), unless the
             360      court determines that continued reunification services would be in the minor's best interest.
             361          [(7)] (26) If, pursuant to Subsections [(3)(d)(i)(B) through (K)] (21)(b) through (l), the
             362      court does not order reunification services, a permanency hearing shall be conducted within 30
             363      days, in accordance with Section 78A-6-314 .


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