§ 10A-1-4-811. Permanency hearing and findings.

A.  1.  The court shall conduct a permanency hearing to determine the appropriate permanency goal for the child and to order completion of all steps necessary to finalize the permanent plan.  The hearing shall be held no later than:

a.six (6) months after placing the child in out-of-home placement and every six (6) months thereafter, and

b.thirty (30) days after a determination by the court that reasonable efforts to return a child to either parent are not required pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-4-809 of this title.

2.  A child shall be considered to have entered out-of-home placement on the earlier of:

a.the adjudication date, or

b.the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which the child is removed from the home.

3.  Subsequent permanency hearings shall be held at least every six (6) months for any child who continues to be in an out-of-home placement.  At the request of a party, the Department of Human Services, or on the motion of the court, the initial and subsequent permanency hearings may be held more frequently.

4.  At each permanency hearing, the court may consider testimony of any person who has relevant information about the status of the child or the status of the treatment plan.  All parties shall have the opportunity to present evidence and to cross-examine witnesses.  The rules of evidence shall not apply to permanency hearings and all evidence helpful in determining the proper permanency goal shall be considered including, but not limited to, oral and written reports, which may be admitted and may be relied upon to the extent of their probative value, even though not competent for the purposes of the adjudicatory hearing.

B.  A permanency hearing may be held concurrently with a dispositional or review hearing.

C.  If a foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative is currently providing care for a child, the Department shall give the foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative notice of a proceeding concerning the child.  A foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative providing care for a child has the right to be heard at the proceeding.  Except when allowed to intervene, the foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child is not considered a party to the juvenile court proceeding solely because of notice and the right to be heard at the proceeding.

D.  At the hearing, the court shall determine or review the continued appropriateness of the permanency plan of the child and whether a change in the plan is necessary; the date by which the goal of permanency for the child is scheduled to be achieved, and whether the current placement of the child continues to be the most suitable for the health, safety, and welfare of the child.  The court shall also, in an age-appropriate manner, inquire or cause inquiry to be made of the child regarding the proposed permanency plan and if the child is age sixteen (16) or older, the independent living plan.

E.  A transcript shall be made of each permanency hearing or the proceeding shall be memorialized by appropriate written findings of facts, and the court having considered all relevant information shall order one of the following permanency plans for the child:

1.  Reunification with the parent, parents, or legal guardian of the child where:

a.reunification can be expected to occur within an established time frame that is consistent with the developmental needs of the child, and

b.the health and safety of the child can be adequately safeguarded if returned home;

2.  Placement for adoption after the rights of the parents have been terminated or after a petition has been filed to terminate parental rights;

3.  Placement with a person who will be the permanent guardian of the child and is able to adequately and appropriately safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the child; or

4.  Placement in the legal custody of the Department under a planned permanent living arrangement, provided that there are compelling reasons documented by the Department and presented to the court that none of the above described plans is appropriate for the health, safety, and welfare of the child.

F.  In addition to the findings required under subsection E of this section, the court shall also make written findings related to:

1.  Whether the Department has made reasonable efforts to finalize the permanency plan that is in effect for the child and a summary of the efforts the Department has made; or, in the case of an Indian child, whether the Department has made active efforts to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs as required by 25 U.S.C., Section 1912(d);

2.  If the permanency plan is for the child to remain in out-of-home care, whether the child’s out-of-home placement continues to be appropriate and in the best interests of the child;

3.  If the current placement is not expected to be permanent, the court’s projected timetable for return home or for placement in an adoptive home with a guardian, or another planned permanent living arrangement; and

4.  Whether reasonable efforts, in accordance with the safety or well-being of any child, have been made to:

a.place siblings, who have been removed, together in the same foster care, guardianship, or adoptive placement, and

b.provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction in the case of siblings who have been removed and who are not placed together.

G.  The court may make appropriate orders to ensure timely implementation of the permanency plan and shall order the plan to be accomplished within a specified period of time.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 421, § 21, emerg. eff. June 11, 1998.  Amended by Laws 2000, c. 374, § 20, eff. July 1, 2000; Laws 2002, c. 237, § 3, emerg. eff. May 9, 2002; Laws 2004, c. 452, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2007, c. 196, § 3, eff. July 1, 2007; Laws 2009, c. 160, § 5, emerg. eff. May 11, 2009; Laws 2009, c. 233, § 43, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009.  Renumbered from § 7003-5.6d of Title 10 by Laws 2009, c. 233, § 257, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009.