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H.B. 161

             1     

RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: LaVar Christensen

             5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child and Family Services, Title 78A, Chapter
             10      4, Court of Appeals, and Title 78A, Chapter 6, Juvenile Court Act of 1996, by affirming
             11      parental rights, amending procedures regarding the Division of Child and Family
             12      Services, and amending court procedures regarding the termination of parental rights.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    affirms parental rights in relation to the rights of the state;
             16          .    requires the court to consider the protections of parental rights described in Section
             17      62A-4a-201 before terminating parental rights;
             18          .    emphasizes the importance of in-home services and kinship placement over other
             19      forms of state intervention;
             20          .    states that a court shall hold a permanency review hearing 12 months after the date
             21      of removal for a minor who is 36 months or younger at the date the minor is initially
             22      removed from the home;
             23          .    states that the termination of parental rights should be pursued as a last resort only;
             24          .    requires an appellate court to consider "fundamental liberty interests" in an appeal
             25      of a termination of parental rights; and
             26          .    makes technical changes.
             27      Money Appropriated in this Bill:


             28          None
             29      Other Special Clauses:
             30          None
             31      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             32      AMENDS:
             33          62A-4a-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 3 and 299
             34          78A-6-312, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapters 98 and 167
             35          78A-6-503, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             36          78A-6-507, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             37      ENACTS:
             38          78A-4-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39     
             40      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             41          Section 1. Section 62A-4a-201 is amended to read:
             42           62A-4a-201. Rights of parents -- Children's rights -- Interest and responsibility of
             43      state.
             44          (1) (a) Under both the United States Constitution and the constitution of this state, a
             45      parent possesses a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and management of the
             46      parent's children. A fundamentally fair process must be provided to parents if the state moves
             47      to challenge or interfere with parental rights. A governmental entity must support any actions
             48      or allegations made in opposition to the rights and desires of a parent regarding the parent's
             49      children by sufficient evidence to satisfy a parent's constitutional entitlement to heightened
             50      protection against government interference with the parent's fundamental rights and liberty
             51      interests.
             52          (b) The fundamental liberty interest of a parent concerning the care, custody, and
             53      management of the parent's children is recognized, protected, and does not cease to exist
             54      simply because a parent may fail to be a model parent or because the parent's child is placed in
             55      the temporary custody of the state. At all times, a parent retains a vital interest in preventing
             56      the irretrievable destruction of family life. Prior to an adjudication of unfitness, government
             57      action in relation to parents and their children may not exceed the least restrictive means or
             58      alternatives available to accomplish a compelling state interest. Until the state proves parental


             59      unfitness, the child and the child's parents share a vital interest in preventing erroneous
             60      termination of their natural relationship and the state cannot presume that a child and the child's
             61      parents are adversaries.
             62          (c) It is in the best interest and welfare of a child to be raised under the care and
             63      supervision of the child's natural parents. A child's need for a normal family life in a
             64      permanent home, and for positive, nurturing family relationships [will usually] is best [be] met
             65      by the child's natural parents, except in extreme cases where additional assistance may be
             66      needed. Additionally, the integrity of the family unit[,] and the right of parents to conceive and
             67      raise their children [have found protection in the due process clause of the Fourteenth
             68      Amendment to the United States Constitution] are constitutionally protected. The right of a
             69      [fit, competent] parent to raise the parent's child without undue government interference is a
             70      fundamental liberty interest that has long been protected by the laws and Constitution [of this
             71      state and of the United States] and is a fundamental public policy of this state.
             72          (d) The state recognizes that:
             73          (i) a parent has the right, obligation, responsibility, and authority to raise, manage,
             74      train, educate, provide for, and reasonably discipline the parent's children; and
             75          (ii) the state's role is secondary and supportive to the primary role of a parent.
             76          (e) It is the public policy of this state that parents retain the fundamental right and duty
             77      to exercise primary control over the care, supervision, upbringing, and education of their
             78      children.
             79          (f) Subsections (2) through (7) shall be interpreted and applied consistent with this
             80      Subsection (1).
             81          (2) It is also the public policy of this state that children have the right to protection
             82      from abuse and neglect, and that the state retains a compelling interest in investigating,
             83      prosecuting, and punishing abuse and neglect, as defined in this chapter, and in Title 78A,
             84      Chapter 6, Juvenile Court Act of 1996. Therefore, the state, as parens patriae, has an interest in
             85      and responsibility to protect children whose parents abuse them or do not adequately provide
             86      for their welfare. There may be circumstances where a parent's conduct or condition is a
             87      substantial departure from the norm and the parent is unable or unwilling to render safe and
             88      proper parental care and protection. Under those circumstances, the state may take limited
             89      action for the welfare and protection of the parent's children.


             90          (3) When the division intervenes on behalf of an abused, neglected, or dependent child,
             91      it shall take into account the child's verified need for protection from immediate harm and the
             92      extent to which the child's extended family may provide needed protection. Throughout its
             93      involvement, the division shall utilize the least intrusive and least restrictive means available to
             94      protect a child, in an effort to ensure that children are brought up in stable, permanent families,
             95      rather than in temporary foster placements under the supervision of the state.
             96          (4) When circumstances within the family pose a threat to the child's immediate safety
             97      or welfare, the division may [obtain] seek temporary custody of the child for a [planned]
             98      limited period and place the child in a safe environment, subject to the requirements of this
             99      section and in accordance with the requirements of Title 78A, Chapter 6, Part 3, Abuse,
             100      Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings.
             101          (5) In determining and making "reasonable efforts" with regard to a child, pursuant to
             102      the provisions of Section 62A-4a-203 , both the division's and the court's paramount concern
             103      shall be the child's health, safety, and welfare, and the constitutionally protected rights of
             104      parents. The desires of a parent for the parent's child shall be given full and serious
             105      consideration by the division and the court.
             106          (6) In cases where actual sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, abandonment, severe
             107      abuse, or severe neglect are established, the state has no duty to make "reasonable efforts" or
             108      to, in any other way, attempt to maintain a child in the child's home, provide reunification
             109      services, or to attempt to rehabilitate the offending parent or parents. This Subsection (6) does
             110      not exempt the division from providing court-ordered services.
             111          (7) (a) [It is the division's obligation, under federal law, to] The division shall strive to
             112      achieve appropriate permanency for children who are abused, neglected, or dependent. The
             113      division shall provide in-home services in an effort to help a parent to correct the behavior that
             114      resulted in abuse, neglect, or dependency of the parent's child. If in-home services fail or are
             115      otherwise insufficient or inappropriate, the division shall also seek extended family support or
             116      a kinship placement to maintain a sense of security and stability for the child. If in-home
             117      services and kinship placement fail and cannot be corrected, the division may pursue a foster
             118      placement.
             119          (b) If the use or continuation of "reasonable efforts," as described in Subsections (5)
             120      and (6), is determined to be inconsistent with the permanency plan for a child, then measures


             121      shall be taken, in a timely manner, to place the child in accordance with the permanency plan,
             122      and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.
             123          [(b) If,] (c) Subject to the parental rights recognized and protected under this section,
             124      if, because of a parent's conduct or condition, the parent is conclusively determined to be unfit
             125      or incompetent based on the grounds for termination of parental rights described in Title 78A,
             126      Chapter 6, Part 5, Termination of Parental Rights Act, the continuing welfare and best interest
             127      of the child [is of paramount importance, and shall govern] shall be protected in determining
             128      whether that parent's rights should be terminated.
             129          (8) The state's right to direct or intervene in the provision of medical or mental health
             130      care for a child is subject to Subsection 78A-6-117 (2)(n).
             131          Section 2. Section 78A-4-201 is enacted to read:
             132          78A-4-201. Appellate review of juvenile courts.
             133          To uphold the clear and compelling fundamental liberty interests and constitutionally
             134      protected rights of parents and the strong public policy in favor of maximizing family
             135      unification, appellate review shall be equitably applied and made available in furtherance of
             136      those interests and before a permanent termination of parental rights order may take full force
             137      and effect.
             138          Section 3. Section 78A-6-312 is amended to read:
             139           78A-6-312. Dispositional hearing -- Reunification services -- Exceptions.
             140          (1) The court may:
             141          (a) make any of the dispositions described in Section 78A-6-117 ;
             142          (b) place the minor in the custody or guardianship of any:
             143          (i) individual; or
             144          (ii) public or private entity or agency; or
             145          (c) order:
             146          (i) protective supervision;
             147          (ii) family preservation;
             148          (iii) subject to Subsection 78A-6-117 (2)(n)(iii), medical or mental health treatment; or
             149          (iv) other services.
             150          (2) Whenever the court orders continued removal at the dispositional hearing, and that
             151      the minor remain in the custody of the division, the court shall first:


             152          (a) establish a primary permanency goal for the minor; and
             153          (b) determine whether, in view of the primary permanency goal, reunification services
             154      are appropriate for the minor and the minor's family, pursuant to Subsections (20) through (22).
             155          (3) Subject to Subsections (6) and (7), if the court determines that reunification
             156      services are appropriate for the minor and the minor's family, the court shall provide for
             157      reasonable parent-time with the parent or parents from whose custody the minor was removed,
             158      unless parent-time is not in the best interest of the minor.
             159          (4) In cases where obvious sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, abandonment, severe
             160      abuse, or severe neglect are involved, neither the division nor the court has any duty to make
             161      "reasonable efforts" or to, in any other way, attempt to provide reunification services, or to
             162      attempt to rehabilitate the offending parent or parents.
             163          (5) In all cases, the minor's health, safety, and welfare shall be the court's paramount
             164      concern in determining whether reasonable efforts to reunify should be made.
             165          (6) For purposes of Subsection (3), parent-time is in the best interests of a minor unless
             166      the court makes a finding that it is necessary to deny parent-time in order to:
             167          (a) protect the physical safety of the minor;
             168          (b) protect the life of the minor; or
             169          (c) prevent the minor from being traumatized by contact with the parent due to the
             170      minor's fear of the parent in light of the nature of the alleged abuse or neglect.
             171          (7) Notwithstanding Subsection (3), a court may not deny parent-time based solely on a
             172      parent's failure to:
             173          (a) prove that the parent has not used legal or illegal substances; or
             174          (b) comply with an aspect of the child and family plan that is ordered by the court.
             175          (8) In addition to the primary permanency goal, the court shall establish a concurrent
             176      permanency goal that shall include:
             177          (a) a representative list of the conditions under which the primary permanency goal
             178      will be abandoned in favor of the concurrent permanency goal; and
             179          (b) an explanation of the effect of abandoning or modifying the primary permanency
             180      goal.
             181          (9) A permanency hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Subsection
             182      78A-6-314 (1)(b) within 30 days after the day on which the dispositional hearing ends if


             183      something other than reunification is initially established as a minor's primary permanency
             184      goal.
             185          (10) (a) The court may amend a minor's primary permanency goal before the
             186      establishment of a final permanency plan under Section 78A-6-314 .
             187          (b) The court is not limited to the terms of the concurrent permanency goal in the event
             188      that the primary permanency goal is abandoned.
             189          (c) If, at any time, the court determines that reunification is no longer a minor's primary
             190      permanency goal, the court shall conduct a permanency hearing in accordance with Section
             191      78A-6-314 on or before the earlier of:
             192          (i) 30 days after the day on which the court makes the determination described in this
             193      Subsection (10)(c); or
             194          (ii) the day on which the provision of reunification services, described in Section
             195      78A-6-314 , ends.
             196          (11) (a) If the court determines that reunification services are appropriate, it shall order
             197      that the division make reasonable efforts to provide services to the minor and the minor's
             198      parent for the purpose of facilitating reunification of the family, for a specified period of time.
             199          (b) In providing the services described in Subsection (11)(a), the minor's health, safety,
             200      and welfare shall be the division's paramount concern, and the court shall so order.
             201          (12) The court shall:
             202          (a) determine whether the services offered or provided by the division under the child
             203      and family plan constitute "reasonable efforts" on the part of the division;
             204          (b) determine and define the responsibilities of the parent under the child and family
             205      plan in accordance with Subsection 62A-4a-205 (6)(e); and
             206          (c) identify verbally on the record, or in a written document provided to the parties, the
             207      responsibilities described in Subsection (12)(b), for the purpose of assisting in any future
             208      determination regarding the provision of reasonable efforts, in accordance with state and
             209      federal law.
             210          (13) (a) The time period for reunification services may not exceed 12 months from the
             211      date that the minor was initially removed from the minor's home, unless the time period is
             212      extended under Subsection 78A-6-314 (8).
             213          (b) Nothing in this section may be construed to entitle any parent to an entire 12


             214      months of reunification services.
             215          (14) (a) If reunification services are ordered, the court may terminate those services at
             216      any time for good and clearly established cause.
             217          (b) If, at any time, continuation of reasonable efforts to reunify a minor is determined
             218      to be inconsistent with the final permanency plan for the minor established pursuant to Section
             219      78A-6-314 , then measures shall be taken, in a timely manner, to:
             220          (i) place the minor in accordance with the permanency plan; and
             221          (ii) complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the
             222      minor.
             223          (15) Any physical custody of the minor by the parent or a relative during the period
             224      described in Subsections (11) through (14) does not interrupt the running of the period.
             225          (16) (a) If reunification services are ordered, a permanency hearing shall be conducted
             226      by the court in accordance with Section 78A-6-314 at the expiration of the time period for
             227      reunification services.
             228          (b) The permanency hearing shall be held no later than 12 months after the original
             229      removal of the minor.
             230          (c) If reunification services are not ordered, a permanency hearing shall be conducted
             231      within 30 days, in accordance with Section 78A-6-314 .
             232          (17) With regard to a minor who is 36 months of age or younger at the time the minor
             233      is initially removed from the home, the court shall:
             234          (a) hold a permanency hearing [eight] 12 months after the date of the initial removal,
             235      pursuant to Section 78A-6-314 ; and
             236          (b) order the discontinuance of those services after [eight] 12 months from the initial
             237      removal of the minor from the home if the parent or parents have not made substantial efforts
             238      to comply with the child and family plan.
             239          (18) With regard to a minor in the custody of the division whose parent or parents are
             240      ordered to receive reunification services but who have abandoned that minor for a period of six
             241      months from the date that reunification services were ordered:
             242          (a) the court shall terminate reunification services; and
             243          (b) the division shall petition the court for termination of parental rights.
             244          (19) When a court conducts a permanency hearing for a minor under Section


             245      78A-6-314 , the court shall attempt to keep the minor's sibling group together if keeping the
             246      sibling group together is:
             247          (a) practicable; and
             248          (b) in accordance with the best interest of the minor.
             249          (20) (a) Because of the state's interest in and responsibility to protect and provide
             250      permanency for minors who are abused, neglected, or dependent, the Legislature finds that a
             251      parent's interest in receiving reunification services is limited.
             252          (b) The court may determine that:
             253          (i) efforts to reunify a minor with the minor's family are not reasonable or appropriate,
             254      based on the individual circumstances; and
             255          (ii) reunification services should not be provided.
             256          (c) In determining "reasonable efforts" to be made with respect to a minor, and in
             257      making "reasonable efforts," the minor's health, safety, and welfare shall be the paramount
             258      concern.
             259          (21) There is a presumption that reunification services should not be provided to a
             260      parent if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that any of the following
             261      circumstances exist:
             262          (a) the whereabouts of the parents are unknown, based upon a verified affidavit
             263      indicating that a reasonably diligent search has failed to locate the parent;
             264          (b) subject to Subsection (22)(a), the parent is suffering from a mental illness of such
             265      magnitude that it renders the parent incapable of utilizing reunification services;
             266          (c) the minor was previously adjudicated as an abused child due to physical abuse,
             267      sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation, and following the adjudication the minor:
             268          (i) was removed from the custody of the minor's parent;
             269          (ii) was subsequently returned to the custody of the parent; and
             270          (iii) is being removed due to additional physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual
             271      exploitation;
             272          (d) the parent:
             273          (i) caused the death of another minor through abuse or neglect; or
             274          (ii) committed, aided, abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit:
             275          (A) murder or manslaughter of a child; or


             276          (B) child abuse homicide;
             277          (e) the minor suffered severe abuse by the parent or by any person known by the
             278      parent, if the parent knew or reasonably should have known that the person was abusing the
             279      minor;
             280          (f) the minor is adjudicated an abused child as a result of severe abuse by the parent,
             281      and the court finds that it would not benefit the minor to pursue reunification services with the
             282      offending parent;
             283          (g) the parent's rights are terminated with regard to any other minor;
             284          (h) the minor is removed from the minor's home on at least two previous occasions and
             285      reunification services were offered or provided to the family at those times;
             286          (i) the parent has abandoned the minor for a period of six months or longer;
             287          (j) the parent permitted the child to reside, on a permanent or temporary basis, at a
             288      location where the parent knew or should have known that a clandestine laboratory operation
             289      was located;
             290          (k) except as provided in Subsection (22)(b), with respect to a parent who is the child's
             291      birth mother, the child has fetal alcohol syndrome or was exposed to an illegal or prescription
             292      drug that was abused by the child's mother while the child was in utero, if the child was taken
             293      into division custody for that reason, unless the mother agrees to enroll in, is currently enrolled
             294      in, or has recently and successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program approved
             295      by the department; or
             296          (l) any other circumstance that the court determines should preclude reunification
             297      efforts or services.
             298          (22) (a) The finding under Subsection (21)(b) shall be based on competent evidence
             299      from at least two medical or mental health professionals, who are not associates, establishing
             300      that, even with the provision of services, the parent is not likely to be capable of adequately
             301      caring for the minor within 12 months after the day on which the court finding is made.
             302          (b) A judge may disregard the provisions of Subsection (21)(k) if the court finds, under
             303      the circumstances of the case, that the substance abuse treatment described in Subsection
             304      (21)(k) is not warranted.
             305          (23) In determining whether reunification services are appropriate, the court shall take
             306      into consideration:


             307          (a) failure of the parent to respond to previous services or comply with a previous child
             308      and family plan;
             309          (b) the fact that the minor was abused while the parent was under the influence of
             310      drugs or alcohol;
             311          (c) any history of violent behavior directed at the child or an immediate family
             312      member;
             313          (d) whether a parent continues to live with an individual who abused the minor;
             314          (e) any patterns of the parent's behavior that have exposed the minor to repeated abuse;
             315          (f) testimony by a competent professional that the parent's behavior is unlikely to be
             316      successful; and
             317          (g) whether the parent has expressed an interest in reunification with the minor.
             318          (24) (a) If reunification services are not ordered pursuant to Subsections (20) through
             319      (22), and the whereabouts of a parent become known within six months after the day on which
             320      the out-of-home placement of the minor is made, the court may order the division to provide
             321      reunification services.
             322          (b) The time limits described in Subsections (2) through (19) are not tolled by the
             323      parent's absence.
             324          (25) (a) If a parent is incarcerated or institutionalized, the court shall order reasonable
             325      services unless it determines that those services would be detrimental to the minor.
             326          (b) In making the determination described in Subsection (25)(a), the court shall
             327      consider:
             328          (i) the age of the minor;
             329          (ii) the degree of parent-child bonding;
             330          (iii) the length of the sentence;
             331          (iv) the nature of the treatment;
             332          (v) the nature of the crime or illness;
             333          (vi) the degree of detriment to the minor if services are not offered;
             334          (vii) for a minor 10 years of age or older, the minor's attitude toward the
             335      implementation of family reunification services; and
             336          (viii) any other appropriate factors.
             337          (c) Reunification services for an incarcerated parent are subject to the time limitations


             338      imposed in Subsections (2) through (19).
             339          (d) Reunification services for an institutionalized parent are subject to the time
             340      limitations imposed in Subsections (2) through (19), unless the court determines that continued
             341      reunification services would be in the minor's best interest.
             342          (26) If, pursuant to Subsections (21)(b) through (l), the court does not order
             343      reunification services, a permanency hearing shall be conducted within 30 days, in accordance
             344      with Section 78A-6-314 .
             345          Section 4. Section 78A-6-503 is amended to read:
             346           78A-6-503. Recognition of rights of parents and children -- Judicial process for
             347      termination -- Parent unfit or incompetent -- Best interest of child.
             348          (1) The state may only terminate parental rights in extreme cases and after fully and
             349      fairly exhausting all reasonably available alternatives and using the least restrictive means as
             350      required to satisfy the constitutional protection of parental rights, and to achieve the strong
             351      public policy in favor of strengthening and uniting families and avoiding or minimizing
             352      removal of a child from the home of the parent to the fullest extent possible.
             353          (2) In no event may parental rights be terminated without fully satisfying Section
             354      62A-4a-201 .
             355          (3) The state shall provide a parent with reasonably sufficient time and support to
             356      prevent or correct conditions that may otherwise cause a parent to be charged with unfitness
             357      and loss of the parent's child.
             358          (4) The state shall make all reasonable efforts to avoid removing a child from the
             359      custody of the child's parent and the child's home.
             360          (5) When a child is removed from the custody of a parent, the state shall earnestly
             361      strive to reunify the family.
             362          (6) No federal law, mandate, regulation, or financial contribution to the state shall be
             363      allowed to interfere with or undermine parental rights and the public policy of this state.
             364          (7) When conditions arise that may limit a parent's ability to care and provide for a
             365      child, grandparents, extended family, and kin who are willing and able to provide family
             366      support are entitled to offer and provide support without interference from the state.
             367          (8) Temporary deficiencies of a parent are not grounds for permanent termination of
             368      parental rights.


             369          (9) The court may not impose a premature or fixed time limit on the continuing
             370      progress of a parent who earnestly seeks to improve the parent's parenting abilities and protect
             371      the best interests of the parent's child. The state shall be a support and not a threat thereto.
             372          [(1)] (10) This part provides a judicial process for voluntary and involuntary severance
             373      of the parent-child relationship, designed to safeguard the rights and interests of all parties
             374      concerned and promote their welfare and that of the state.
             375          [(2)] (11) Wherever possible family life should be strengthened and preserved, but if a
             376      parent is found, by reason of [his] the parent's conduct or condition, to be unfit or incompetent
             377      based upon any of the grounds for termination described in this part, the court shall then
             378      balance and consider the welfare and best interest of the child [of paramount importance] in
             379      determining whether termination of parental rights shall be ordered.
             380          Section 5. Section 78A-6-507 is amended to read:
             381           78A-6-507. Grounds for termination of parental rights -- Findings regarding
             382      reasonable efforts.
             383          (1) [The] As a final, extreme act, subject to the protections and requirements of Section
             384      62A-4a-201 and Section 78A-6-503 , the court may terminate all parental rights with respect to
             385      a parent if the court finds any one of the following:
             386          (a) that the parent has abandoned the child;
             387          (b) that the parent has neglected or abused the child;
             388          (c) that the parent is properly deemed permanently unfit or incompetent;
             389          (d) (i) that the child is being cared for in an out-of-home placement under the
             390      supervision of the court or the division;
             391          (ii) that the parent has substantially neglected, wilfully refused, or has been unable or
             392      unwilling to remedy the circumstances that cause the child to be in an out-of-home placement;
             393      and
             394          (iii) that there is a substantial likelihood that the parent will not be capable of
             395      exercising proper and effective parental care in the near future;
             396          (e) failure of parental adjustment, as defined in this chapter;
             397          (f) that only token efforts have been made by the parent:
             398          (i) to support or communicate with the child;
             399          (ii) to prevent neglect of the child;


             400          (iii) to eliminate the risk of serious harm to the child; or
             401          (iv) to avoid being an unfit parent;
             402          (g) (i) that the parent has voluntarily relinquished the parent's parental rights to the
             403      child; and
             404          (ii) that termination is in the child's best interest;
             405          (h) that, after a period of trial during which the child was returned to live in the child's
             406      own home, the parent substantially and continuously or repeatedly refused or failed to give the
             407      child proper parental care and protection; or
             408          (i) the terms and conditions of safe relinquishment of a newborn child have been
             409      complied with, pursuant to Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Part 8, Safe Relinquishment of a Newborn
             410      Child.
             411          (2) The court may not terminate the parental rights of a parent because the parent has
             412      failed to complete the requirements of a child and family plan.
             413          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), in any case in which the court has
             414      directed the division to provide reunification services to a parent, the court must find that the
             415      division made reasonable efforts to provide those services before the court may terminate the
             416      parent's rights under Subsection (1)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (h).
             417          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), the court is not required to make the finding
             418      under Subsection (3)(a) before terminating a parent's rights[: (i)] under Subsection (1)(b), if the
             419      court finds that the abuse or neglect occurred subsequent to adjudication[; or].
             420          [(ii) if reasonable efforts to provide the services described in Subsection (3)(a) are not
             421      required under federal law.]




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-6-12 3:44 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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