§ 10A-1-4-903. Order to terminate parent-child legal relationship – Show cause.

If the court finds from the information presented by the Department of Human Services that the permanency plan for the child should be adoption, the court may order the district attorney to show cause why it should not file a petition or motion to terminate the parent-child legal relationship pursuant to Section 1-4-903 of this title.  Good cause may include, but need not be limited to, any of the following conditions:

1.  At the option of the Department or by order of the court, the child is properly being cared for by a relative;

2.  The Department has documented a compelling reason for determining that filing a petition to terminate parental rights would not serve the best interests of the child; or

3.  The state has not provided to the family of the child, consistent with the time period in the state case plan, such services as the state deems necessary for the safe return of the child to the child’s home, if reasonable efforts are required to be made with respect to the child.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 233, § 128, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009.