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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| HOUSE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY BISHOP, TALLMAN, JOHNSON, WHEATLEY, VULAKOVICH, YOUNGBLOOD, BROWNLEE, V. BROWN, BOBACK, MURT AND CRUZ, FEBRUARY 10, 2011 |
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| REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 10, 2011 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the |
2 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in juvenile matters, |
3 | further providing for definitions and for disposition of |
4 | dependent child; and providing for termination of |
5 | jurisdiction. |
6 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
7 | hereby enacts as follows: |
8 | Section 1. The definition of "child" in section 6302 of |
9 | Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended |
10 | and the section is amended by adding a definition to read: |
11 | § 6302. Definitions. |
12 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
13 | shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the |
14 | meanings given to them in this section: |
15 | * * * |
16 | "Child." An individual who: |
17 | (1) is under the age of 18 years; |
18 | (2) is under the age of 21 years who committed an act of |
19 | delinquency before reaching the age of 18 years; or |
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1 | (3) is under the age of 21 years, was adjudicated |
2 | dependent before reaching the age of 18 years and [who, while |
3 | engaged in a course of instruction or treatment, requests the |
4 | court to retain jurisdiction until the course has been |
5 | completed, but in no event shall a child remain in a course |
6 | of instruction or treatment past the age of 21 years] for |
7 | whom court jurisdiction has been continued or resumed |
8 | pursuant to this chapter. |
9 | * * * |
10 | "Transition plan." A plan that is prepared by a county |
11 | agency in accordance with section 6351.2(b) (relating to |
12 | termination of jurisdiction) and that is developed by a county |
13 | agency in cooperation with the child and other individuals |
14 | identified by the county agency, the child and the child's |
15 | guardian ad litem or legal counsel to assist the child in making |
16 | a transition to independence. |
17 | Section 2. Section 6351(e)(3), (f) and (g) of Title 42, |
18 | amended November 23, 2010 (P.L. , No.115), are amended and |
19 | subsections (e) and (f.1) are amended by adding paragraphs to |
20 | read: |
21 | § 6351. Disposition of dependent child. |
22 | * * * |
23 | (e) Permanency hearings.-- |
24 | * * * |
25 | (3) The court shall conduct permanency hearings as |
26 | follows: |
27 | (i) Within six months of: |
28 | (A) the date of the child's removal from the |
29 | child's parent, guardian or custodian for placement |
30 | under section 6324 (relating to taking into custody) |
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1 | or 6332 or pursuant to a transfer of temporary legal |
2 | custody or other disposition under subsection (a)(2), |
3 | whichever is the earliest; [or] |
4 | (B) each previous permanency hearing until the |
5 | child is returned to the child's parent, guardian or |
6 | custodian or removed from the jurisdiction of the |
7 | court[.]; or |
8 | (C) the date on which the child reaches 18 years |
9 | of age. |
10 | (ii) Within 30 days of: |
11 | (A) an adjudication of dependency at which the |
12 | court determined that aggravated circumstances exist |
13 | and that reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate |
14 | the need to remove the child from the child's parent, |
15 | guardian or custodian or to preserve and reunify the |
16 | family need not be made or continue to be made; |
17 | (B) a permanency hearing at which the court |
18 | determined that aggravated circumstances exist and |
19 | that reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the |
20 | need to remove the child from the child's parent, |
21 | guardian or custodian or to preserve and reunify the |
22 | family need not be made or continue to be made and |
23 | the permanency plan for the child is incomplete or |
24 | inconsistent with the court's determination; |
25 | (C) an allegation that aggravated circumstances |
26 | exist regarding a child who has been adjudicated |
27 | dependent, filed under section 6334(b) (relating to |
28 | petition); or |
29 | (D) a petition alleging that the hearing is |
30 | necessary to protect the safety or physical, mental |
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1 | or moral welfare of a dependent child. |
2 | (4) If the court determines that the conditions for |
3 | extension of court jurisdiction enumerated in subsection |
4 | (f.1)(6) are met, the court shall continue to schedule |
5 | permanency hearings in accordance with this section until |
6 | court jurisdiction is terminated, but no later than when the |
7 | child reaches 21 years of age. |
8 | (f) Matters to be determined at permanency hearing.--At each |
9 | permanency hearing, a court shall determine all of the |
10 | following: |
11 | (1) The continuing necessity for and appropriateness of |
12 | the placement. |
13 | (2) The appropriateness, feasibility and extent of |
14 | compliance with the permanency plan developed for the child. |
15 | (3) The extent of progress made toward alleviating the |
16 | circumstances which necessitated the original placement. |
17 | (4) The appropriateness and feasibility of the current |
18 | placement goal for the child. |
19 | (5) The likely date by which the placement goal for the |
20 | child might be achieved. |
21 | (5.1) Whether reasonable efforts were made to finalize |
22 | the permanency plan in effect. |
23 | (6) Whether the child is safe. |
24 | (7) If the child has been placed outside the |
25 | Commonwealth, whether the placement continues to be best |
26 | suited to the safety, protection and physical, mental and |
27 | moral welfare of the child. |
28 | (8) The services needed to assist a child who is 16 |
29 | years of age or older to make the transition to independent |
30 | living, including a transition plan if one is required. |
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1 | (9) If the child has been in placement for at least 15 |
2 | of the last 22 months or the court has determined that |
3 | aggravated circumstances exist and that reasonable efforts to |
4 | prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from the |
5 | child's parent, guardian or custodian or to preserve and |
6 | reunify the family need not be made or continue to be made, |
7 | whether the county agency has filed or sought to join a |
8 | petition to terminate parental rights and to identify, |
9 | recruit, process and approve a qualified family to adopt the |
10 | child unless: |
11 | (i) the child is being cared for by a relative best |
12 | suited to the physical, mental and moral welfare of the |
13 | child; |
14 | (ii) the county agency has documented a compelling |
15 | reason for determining that filing a petition to |
16 | terminate parental rights would not serve the needs and |
17 | welfare of the child; or |
18 | (iii) the child's family has not been provided with |
19 | necessary services to achieve the safe return to the |
20 | child's parent, guardian or custodian within the time |
21 | frames set forth in the permanency plan. |
22 | (10) If a sibling of a child has been removed from his |
23 | home and is in a different placement setting than the child, |
24 | whether reasonable efforts have been made to place the child |
25 | and the sibling of the child together or whether such joint |
26 | placement is contrary to the safety or well-being of the |
27 | child or sibling. |
28 | (11) If the child has a sibling, whether visitation of |
29 | the child with that sibling is occurring no less than twice a |
30 | month, unless a finding is made that visitation is contrary |
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1 | to the safety or well-being of the child or sibling. |
2 | (12) If the child has: |
3 | (i) (A) been informed that the child may request |
4 | the court to continue jurisdiction after the child |
5 | reaches 18 years of age and that the child may |
6 | request the court resume jurisdiction any time prior |
7 | to when the child reaches 21 years of age if |
8 | discharged from the court's jurisdiction; and |
9 | (B) requested that the court's jurisdiction be |
10 | continued after the child reaches 18 years of age, |
11 | but in no circumstances beyond 21 years of age, on |
12 | the basis that the child meets any of the conditions |
13 | set forth in subsection (f.1)(6). |
14 | (ii) been informed of services available to the |
15 | child if the child remains under the jurisdiction of the |
16 | court. |
17 | For children placed in foster care on or before November 19, |
18 | 1997, the county agency shall file or join a petition for |
19 | termination of parental rights under this subsection in |
20 | accordance with section 103(c)(2) of the Adoption and Safe |
21 | Families Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-89, 111 Stat. 2119). |
22 | (f.1) Additional determination.--Based upon the |
23 | determinations made under subsection (f) and all relevant |
24 | evidence presented at the hearing, the court shall determine one |
25 | of the following: |
26 | * * * |
27 | (6) Whether the child will remain under the jurisdiction |
28 | of the court after the child reaches 18 years of age and the |
29 | duration of the court's jurisdiction, which in no case shall |
30 | continue once the child reaches 21 years of age, based on a |
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1 | determination by the court that the child meets any of the |
2 | following conditions: |
3 | (i) is completing a secondary education program or a |
4 | program leading to an equivalent credential; |
5 | (ii) is enrolled in an institution that provides |
6 | postsecondary or vocational education; |
7 | (iii) is participating in a program or activity |
8 | designed to promote employment or remove barriers to |
9 | employment; |
10 | (iv) is employed for at least 80 hours per month; or |
11 | (v) is incapable of doing any of the activities |
12 | described in subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) due to |
13 | a medical or behavioral health condition, which |
14 | incapability is supported by regularly updated |
15 | information in the case plan of the child. |
16 | * * * |
17 | (g) Court order.--On the basis of the determination made |
18 | under subsection (f.1), the court shall order the continuation, |
19 | modification or termination of placement or other disposition |
20 | which is best suited to the safety, protection and physical, |
21 | mental and moral welfare of the child, including continuation of |
22 | jurisdiction over a child who is determined to meet one of the |
23 | conditions enumerated in subsection (f.1)(6). |
24 | * * * |
25 | Section 3. Title 42 is amended by adding a section to read: |
26 | § 6351.2. Termination of jurisdiction. |
27 | (a) Court hearing.--A court hearing shall be held to |
28 | terminate the court's jurisdiction over a dependent child who is |
29 | 18 years of age or older. At the hearing, the court shall |
30 | determine if the county agency did the following: |
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1 | (1) held a transition plan meeting to develop a |
2 | transition plan; and |
3 | (2) prepared a transition plan. |
4 | (b) Transition plan.--A transition plan shall be |
5 | personalized at the direction of the child and shall include |
6 | specific plans for housing, health insurance, education, |
7 | opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, work |
8 | force supports and employment services. The plan shall be |
9 | prepared at least 180 days immediately prior to the date on |
10 | which the child will reach 18 years of age or, if the court has |
11 | extended jurisdiction for a child who is 18 years of age or |
12 | older, then 180 days immediately prior to the anticipated |
13 | termination of jurisdiction. It shall verify that the following |
14 | information, documents and services have been provided to the |
15 | child: |
16 | (1) Written information concerning the child's |
17 | dependency plan, including: |
18 | (i) the child's family history and placement |
19 | history; |
20 | (ii) the whereabouts of any siblings under the |
21 | jurisdiction of the juvenile court, unless the court |
22 | determines that sibling contact would jeopardize the |
23 | safety or welfare of the child or sibling; and |
24 | (iii) the date on which the jurisdiction of the |
25 | juvenile court would be terminated. |
26 | (2) The following documents: |
27 | (i) Social Security card. |
28 | (ii) Certified birth certificate. |
29 | (iii) Immunization and health records. |
30 | (iv) Education records. |
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1 | (v) Documentation of the dates that the child was |
2 | under the jurisdiction of the court. |
3 | (vi) If applicable, proof of citizenship or |
4 | residence. |
5 | (vii) Driver's license or State identification card. |
6 | (3) Evidence that the child has received assistance in |
7 | completing an application for medical assistance or other |
8 | health insurance. |
9 | (4) In cases where the county agency is aware that the |
10 | child has or may need behavioral health services, |
11 | documentation that: |
12 | (i) The child has been referred to the county mental |
13 | health program established pursuant to the act of October |
14 | 20, 1966 (3rd Sp.Sess., P.L.96, No.6), known as the |
15 | Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act of 1966. |
16 | (ii) An assessment of current mental health needs |
17 | has been completed by a mental health professional. |
18 | (iii) If appropriate, a case manager through the |
19 | county mental health program has been assigned to the |
20 | child. |
21 | (iv) If the assessment reveals a need for services, |
22 | an interagency meeting has occurred among the child, any |
23 | family members or individuals identified as important to |
24 | the child, the child's county agency caseworker, the |
25 | child's county mental health case manager, if any, a |
26 | representative of the county adult mental health system, |
27 | any service providers and other individuals with |
28 | expertise on relevant systems who can assist in |
29 | developing a written plan that identifies appropriate |
30 | services for the child's transition from the court's |
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1 | jurisdiction. |
2 | (v) Services recommended through the assessment and |
3 | agreed upon during the interagency meeting described in |
4 | subparagraph (iv), and included in the written plan, were |
5 | made available on or before the planned discharge date, |
6 | unless the services were applied for in a timely manner |
7 | and there is an explanation as to why services could not |
8 | be made available before discharge. |
9 | (5) In cases where the child has been identified as |
10 | having mental retardation, documentation that: |
11 | (i) The child has been registered with the county |
12 | mental retardation program established by the Mental |
13 | Health and Mental Retardation Act of 1966. |
14 | (ii) A service coordinator has been assigned to the |
15 | child by the county mental retardation program. |
16 | (iii) A Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) or similar |
17 | tool has been completed as developed by the Department of |
18 | Public Welfare. |
19 | (iv) A current Prioritization of Urgency of Need for |
20 | Services (PUNS) or successor form has been completed as |
21 | developed by the Department of Public Welfare. |
22 | (v) An interagency meeting to plan for the child's |
23 | transition from the jurisdiction of the court occurred at |
24 | least one year before the planned date of discharge, or |
25 | at the earliest time possible if the child's discharge |
26 | date is set for less than one year from the date it is |
27 | recorded in the child's permanency plan, and that the |
28 | meeting included the child, any family members or |
29 | individuals identified as important to the child, the |
30 | county agency caseworker, a provider of mental |
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1 | retardation services familiar with the child, the child's |
2 | caseworker from the county mental retardation program, |
3 | the child's supports coordinator, a representative from |
4 | the Department of Public Welfare's developmental programs |
5 | and representatives from appropriate educational |
6 | programs. |
7 | (6) In cases where the child has autism, documentation |
8 | that: |
9 | (i) The Bureau of Autism Services in the Department |
10 | of Public Welfare was notified of the planned discharge |
11 | at least one year prior to the child's planned discharge |
12 | date recorded on the child's permanency plan or at the |
13 | earliest time possible if the child's discharge date is |
14 | set for less than one year from the date it is recorded |
15 | in the child's permanency plan. |
16 | (ii) The child's needs have been assessed and all |
17 | appropriate services and waivers have been applied for. |
18 | (iii) An interagency meeting to plan for the child's |
19 | transition from the jurisdiction of the court occurred at |
20 | least one year before the planned date of discharge, or |
21 | at the earliest time possible if the child's discharge |
22 | date is set for less than one year from the date it is |
23 | recorded in the child's permanency plan, and that the |
24 | meeting included the child, any family members or |
25 | individuals identified as important to the child, the |
26 | county agency caseworker, a representative from the |
27 | Department of Public Welfare responsible for |
28 | developmental programs and representatives from |
29 | appropriate educational programs. |
30 | (7) In cases where the child has a physical disability, |
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1 | documentation that the county agency has notified appropriate |
2 | agencies that administer home-based and community-based |
3 | waivers under the medical assistance program for adults with |
4 | disabilities of the child's planned discharge and that an |
5 | assessment has been made whether the child may be eligible |
6 | for any waiver by the county agency and that an appropriate |
7 | application has been submitted at least six months prior to |
8 | the planned discharge recorded in the child's permanency plan |
9 | or the earliest time possible if the child's discharge date |
10 | is set for less than six months from the date it is recorded |
11 | in the child's permanency plan. |
12 | (8) A description of the child's suitable housing plan. |
13 | (9) Documentation that the child has a source of income |
14 | through employment or other legitimate means, which shall not |
15 | include public benefits unless the child has been determined |
16 | to be unable to work due to a disability. |
17 | (10) Documentation of the child's education plan and |
18 | that assistance has been provided in applying for admission |
19 | to college, a vocational training program or other |
20 | educational institution and in obtaining financial aid. |
21 | (11) Documentation that the county agency assisted the |
22 | child in identifying individuals who can support the child in |
23 | the child's transition to adulthood, including the child's |
24 | biological parents and relatives, especially where |
25 | appropriate, and adults who can serve as mentors. |
26 | (12) Documentation that the county agency has made |
27 | reasonable efforts to achieve permanency for the child, |
28 | including arranging for all available services and resources. |
29 | (13) Documentation that an application for Supplemental |
30 | Security Income (SSI) benefits has been submitted for any |
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1 | child with a disability 90 days prior to the child's |
2 | discharge from the court's jurisdiction. |
3 | (14) Documentation that the child has been informed by |
4 | the county agency that the child may request the court to |
5 | continue jurisdiction and that the child may request that the |
6 | court resume jurisdiction prior to when the child attains 21 |
7 | years of age in accordance with this chapter. |
8 | (c) Continued jurisdiction related to plan.--The court shall |
9 | continue jurisdiction if the court determines that the county |
10 | agency has not met the requirements of subsection (b), in which |
11 | case the court shall order continued jurisdiction for a period |
12 | of time in order that the county agency meet the requirements. |
13 | (d) Petition to resume jurisdiction.-- |
14 | (1) At any time prior to a child reaching 21 years of |
15 | age, a child for whom dependency jurisdiction was terminated |
16 | when the child was 18 years of age or older may request that |
17 | the court resume dependency jurisdiction if the child meets |
18 | any one of the conditions enumerated in section 6351(f.1.)(6) |
19 | (relating to disposition of dependent child). |
20 | (2) A petition can be filed in the county wherein the |
21 | child was formerly adjudicated dependent as follows: |
22 | (i) Upon the child's request to the county agency to |
23 | resume dependency jurisdiction, the county agency shall |
24 | file a petition with the court pursuant to section 6334 |
25 | (relating to petition) for an adjudication that court |
26 | jurisdiction shall be resumed. |
27 | (ii) The child's guardian ad litem or legal counsel |
28 | appointed prior to the child's discharge from the |
29 | jurisdiction of the court may file a petition at the |
30 | request of the child. |
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1 | (iii) If the child contacts the court directly and |
2 | requests that a petition to resume court jurisdiction be |
3 | filed, the court shall make available sample petitions to |
4 | the child. |
5 | (3) A hearing on the petition shall be scheduled in |
6 | accordance with section 6335 (relating to release or holding |
7 | of hearing). |
8 | (4) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or legal |
9 | counsel for the child pursuant to section 6311 (relating to |
10 | guardian ad litem for child in court proceedings) and section |
11 | 6337 (relating to right to counsel) in any proceeding under |
12 | this chapter. If possible, the court shall appoint the |
13 | guardian ad litem or legal counsel who represented the child |
14 | in a prior dependency proceeding. |
15 | (5) If the court resumes jurisdiction of the child, |
16 | permanency review hearings shall be scheduled in accordance |
17 | with section 6351 until court jurisdiction is terminated, but |
18 | no later than when the child attains 21 years of age. |
19 | Section 4. This act shall take effect in one year. |
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