Reference is to Introduced Version.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting language and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 63-7-1630 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 63-7-1630.
The department shall provide notice of a hearing held in
connection with an action filed or pursued
under pursuant to Subarticle 3,
Article 3, Chapter 7, Title 63 or Section 63-7-1650,
63-7-1660, 63-7-1670, 63-7-1680, 63-7-1700, or 63-7-2550 to the
foster parent, the preadoptive parent, or the relative who is
providing care for a child. The notice must be in
writing and may be delivered in person or by regular
mail. The department shall send notice pursuant to
this section at least ten days prior to the hearing, except
where the department must schedule the hearing within less than
ten days or where the department otherwise does not have notice
of the hearing ten days prior. The notice must be in writing
and may be delivered in person or by regular mail. The
notice shall inform the foster parent, preadoptive parent, or
relative of the date, place, and time of the hearing and
of, the right to attend the hearing, and
the right to submit a report to and address the
court concerning the child. Notice provided pursuant to this
section does not confer on the foster parent, preadoptive
parent, or relative the status of a party to the action."
SECTION 2. Section 63-7-1700(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 160 of 2010, is further amended to read:
"(A) The family
court shall review the status of a child placed in foster care
upon motion filed by the department to determine a permanent
plan for the child. The permanency planning hearing must be held
no later than one year after the date the child was first placed
in foster care. At the initial permanency planning hearing, the
court shall review the status of the child and the progress
being made toward the child's return home or toward any other
permanent plan approved at the removal hearing. The court's
order shall make specific findings in accordance with this
section. An action for permanency planning must be brought for a
child who enters the custody of the department by any mechanism,
including subarticle 3 or Section 63-7-1660 or 63-9-330. If the
child enters the custody of the department pursuant to Section
63-9-330 and no action is pending in the family court concerning
the child, the department may initiate the permanency planning
hearing with a summons and petition for review. All parties,
and the foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative who is
providing care for a child, must be served
with sent the motion or the summons and petition
at least ten days before the hearing, and no responsive pleading
is required."
SECTION 3. Section 63-11-720(A)(6)-(7) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(6) to advise
foster parents of the right to submit a report to and be heard
by the court at a hearing concerning the child;
(7) to
recommend that a child caring facility or agency exert all
possible efforts to make arrangements for permanent foster care
or guardianship for children for whom return to natural parents
or adoption is not feasible or possible as determined during a
case review by the local review board; and
(7)(8)
to report to the state office of the Department of
Social Services and other adoptive or foster care agencies any
deficiencies in these agencies' efforts to secure permanent
homes for children discovered in the local board's review of
these cases as provided for in items (1) and (2) of this
section."
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.