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H.B. 319 Enrolled

             1     

PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO PARENTS OF
             2      CHILDREN IN STATE CUSTODY
             3      2012 GENERAL SESSION
             4      STATE OF UTAH
             5      Chief Sponsor: Christine F. Watkins
             6      Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins
             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child and Family Services, by requiring the
             11      Division of Child and Family Services to provide a parent of a child in state custody
             12      with information about the parent's rights.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    requires the Division of Child and Family Services to prepare a pamphlet for
             16      distribution to a parent of a child in state custody explaining:
             17              .    the parent's rights, including the right to contact an attorney;
             18              .    the name and contact information of an individual at the division who can
             19      answer the parent's questions;
             20              .    resources available to the parent; and
             21              .    any other information the division considers necessary;
             22          .    requires the division to provide the pamphlet described above to a parent whenever
             23      a child is removed from a home, school, or taken into protective custody; and
             24          .    makes technical changes.
             25      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             26          None
             27      Other Special Clauses:
             28          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.
             29      Utah Code Sections Affected:

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             30      AMENDS:
             31          62A-4a-202.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 3 and 17
             32     
             33      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             34          Section 1. Section 62A-4a-202.1 is amended to read:
             35           62A-4a-202.1. Entering home of a child -- Taking a child into protective custody
             36      -- Caseworker accompanied by peace officer -- Preventive services -- Shelter facility or
             37      emergency placement.
             38          (1) A peace officer or child welfare worker may not enter the home of a child who is
             39      not under the jurisdiction of the court, remove a child from the child's home or school, or take a
             40      child into protective custody unless authorized under Subsection 78A-6-106 (2).
             41          (2) A child welfare worker within the division may take action under Subsection (1)
             42      accompanied by a peace officer, or without a peace officer when a peace officer is not
             43      reasonably available.
             44          (3) (a) If possible, consistent with the child's safety and welfare, before taking a child
             45      into protective custody, the child welfare worker shall also determine whether there are
             46      services available that, if provided to a parent or guardian of the child, would eliminate the
             47      need to remove the child from the custody of the child's parent or guardian.
             48          (b) If the services described in Subsection (3)(a) are reasonably available, they shall be
             49      utilized.
             50          (c) In determining whether the services described in Subsection (3)(a) are reasonably
             51      available, and in making reasonable efforts to provide those services, the child's health, safety,
             52      and welfare shall be the child welfare worker's paramount concern.
             53          (4) (a) A child removed or taken into custody under this section may not be placed or
             54      kept in a secure detention facility pending court proceedings unless the child is detainable
             55      based on guidelines promulgated by the Division of Juvenile Justice Services.
             56          (b) A child removed from the custody of the child's parent or guardian but who does
             57      not require physical restriction shall be given temporary care in:

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             58          (i) a shelter facility; or
             59          (ii) an emergency placement in accordance with Section 62A-4a-209 .
             60          (c) When making a placement under Subsection (4)(b), the Division of Child and
             61      Family Services shall give priority to a placement with a noncustodial parent, relative, or
             62      friend, in accordance with Section 62A-4a-209 .
             63          (5) When a child is removed from the child's home or school or taken into protective
             64      custody, the caseworker shall give a parent of the child a pamphlet or flier explaining:
             65          (a) the parent's rights under this part, including the right to be present and participate in
             66      any court proceeding relating to the child's case;
             67          (b) that it may be in the parent's best interest to contact an attorney and that, if the
             68      parent cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one;
             69          (c) the name and contact information of a division employee the parent may contact
             70      with questions;
             71          (d) resources that are available to the parent, including:
             72          (i) mental health resources;
             73          (ii) substance abuse resources; and
             74          (iii) parenting classes; and
             75          (e) any other information considered relevant by the division.
             76          (6) The pamphlet or flier described in Subsection (5) shall be:
             77          (a) evaluated periodically for its effectiveness at conveying necessary information and
             78      revised accordingly;
             79          (b) written in simple, easy-to-understand language; and
             80          (c) available in English and other languages as the division determines to be
             81      appropriate and necessary.
             82          Section 2. Effective date.
             83          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.

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