| Minn. Stat. § 260C.212
Minnesota
Statutes
Public Welfare and Related Activities (Ch. 245-267)
Chapter
260C. Child Protection
Disposition
260C.212. Children
in placement
Subdivision
1. Out-of-home placement; plan.
(a) An out-of-home placement plan shall be prepared within 30 days after
any child is placed in a residential facility by court order or by the
voluntary release of the child by the parent or parents.
For purposes of this section,
a residential facility means any group home, family foster home or other
publicly supported out-of-home residential facility, including any out-of-home
residential facility under contract with the state, county or other political
subdivision, or any agency thereof, to provide those services or foster
care as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 18.
(b)
An out-of-home placement plan means a written document which is prepared
by the responsible social services agency jointly with the parent or parents
or guardian of the child and in consultation with the child's guardian
ad litem, the child's tribe, if the child is an Indian child, the child's
foster parent or representative of the residential facility, and, where
appropriate, the child. For a child in placement due solely or in part
to the child's emotional disturbance, preparation of the out-of-home placement
plan shall additionally include the child's mental health treatment provider.
As appropriate, the plan shall be:
(1)
submitted to the court for approval under section 260C.178, subdivision
7;
(2)
ordered by the court, either as presented or modified after hearing, under
section 260C.178, subdivision 7, or 260C.201, subdivision 6; and
(3)
signed by the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child's
guardian ad litem, a representative of the child's tribe, the responsible
social services agency, and, if possible, the child.
(c)
The out-of-home placement plan shall be explained to all persons involved
in its implementation, including the child who has signed the plan, and
shall set forth:
(1)
a description of the residential facility including how the out-of-home
placement plan is designed to achieve a safe placement for the child in
the least restrictive, most family-like, setting available which is in
close proximity to the home of the parent or parents or guardian of the
child when the case plan goal is reunification, and how the placement
is consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child according
to the factors under subdivision 2, paragraph (b);
(2)
the specific reasons for the placement of the child in a residential facility,
and when reunification is the plan, a description of the problems or conditions
in the home of the parent or parents which necessitated removal of the
child from home and the changes the parent or parents must make in order
for the child to safely return home;
(3)
a description of the services offered and provided to prevent removal
of the child from the home and to reunify the family including:
(i)
the specific actions to be taken by the parent or parents of the child
to eliminate or correct the problems or conditions identified in clause
(2), and the time period during which the actions are to be taken; and
(ii)
the reasonable efforts, or in the case of an Indian child, active efforts
to be made to achieve a safe and stable home for the child including social
and other supportive services to be provided or offered to the parent
or parents or guardian of the child, the child, and the residential facility
during the period
the child is in the residential facility;
(4)
a description of any services or resources that were requested by the
child or the child's parent, guardian, foster parent, or custodian since
the date of the child's placement in the residential facility, and whether
those services or resources were provided and if not, the basis for the
denial of the services or resources;
(5)
the visitation plan for the parent or parents or guardian, other relatives
as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 27, and siblings of the child
if the siblings are not placed together in the residential facility, and
whether visitation is consistent with the best interest of the child,
during the period the child is in the residential facility;
(6)
documentation of steps to finalize the adoption or legal guardianship
of the child if the court has issued an order terminating the rights of
both parents of the child or of the only known, living parent of the child,
and a copy
of this documentation shall be provided to the court in the review required
under section 260C.317, subdivision 3, paragraph (b);
(7)
to the extent available and accessible, the health and educational records
of the child including:
(i)
the names and addresses of the child's health and educational providers;
(ii)
the child's grade level performance;
(iii)
the child's school record;
(iv)
assurances that the child's placement in foster care takes into account
proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of
placement;
(v)
a record of the child's immunizations;
(vi)
the child's known medical problems, including any known communicable diseases,
as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 2;
(vii)
the child's medications; and
(viii)
any other relevant health and education information;
(8)
an independent living plan for a child age 16 or older who is in placement
as a result of a permanency disposition. The plan should include, but
not be limited to, the following objectives:
(i)
educational, vocational, or employment planning;
(ii)
health care planning and medical coverage;
(iii)
transportation including, where appropriate, assisting the child in obtaining
a driver's license;
(iv)
money management;
(v)
planning for housing;
(vi)
social and recreational skills; and
(vii)
establishing and maintaining connections with the child's family and community;
and
(9)
for a child in placement due solely or in part to the child's emotional
disturbance, diagnostic and assessment information, specific services
relating to meeting the mental health care needs of the child, and treatment
outcomes.
(d)
The parent or parents or guardian and the child each shall have the right
to legal counsel in the preparation of the case plan and shall be informed
of the right at the time of placement of the child. The child shall also
have the right to a guardian ad litem. If unable to employ counsel from
their own resources, the court shall appoint counsel upon the request
of the parent or parents or the child or the child's legal guardian. The
parent or parents may also receive assistance from any person or social
services agency in preparation of the case plan.
After the plan has been
agreed upon by the parties involved or approved or ordered by the court,
the foster parents shall be fully informed of the provisions
of the case plan and shall be provided a copy of the plan.
Subd.
2. Placement decisions based on best interest of the child.
(a) The policy of the state of Minnesota is to ensure that the child's
best interests are met by requiring an individualized determination of
the needs of the child and of how the selected placement will serve the
needs of the child being placed. The authorized child-placing agency shall
place a child, released by court order or by voluntary release by the
parent or parents, in a family foster home selected by considering placement
with relatives and important friends in the following order:
(1)
with an individual who is related to the child by blood, marriage, or
adoption; or
(2)
with an individual who is an important friend with whom the child has
resided or had significant contact.
(b)
Among the factors the agency shall consider in determining the needs of
the child are the following:
(1)
the child's current functioning and behaviors;
(2)
the medical, educational, and developmental needs of the child;
(3)
the child's history and past experience;
(4)
the child's religious and cultural needs;
(5)
the child's connection with a community, school, and church;
(6)
the child's interests and talents;
(7)
the child's relationship to current caretakers, parents, siblings, and
relatives; and
(8)
the reasonable preference of the child, if the court, or the child-placing
agency in the case of a voluntary placement, deems the child to be of
sufficient age to express preferences.
(c)
Placement of a child cannot be delayed or denied based on race, color,
or national origin of the foster parent or the child.
(d)
Siblings should be placed together for foster care and adoption at the
earliest possible time unless it is determined not to be in the best interests
of a sibling or unless it is not possible after appropriate efforts by
the responsible social services agency.
Subd.
3. Limit on multiple placements.
If a child has been placed in a residential facility pursuant to a court
order under section 260C.178 or 260C.201, the social services agency responsible
for the residential facility placement for the child may not change the
child's placement unless the agency specifically documents that the current
placement is unsuitable or another placement is in the best interests
of the child. This subdivision does not apply if the new placement is
in an adoptive home or other permanent placement.
Subd.
4. Responsible social service agency's duties for children in placement.
(a) When a child is in placement, the responsible social services agency
shall make diligent efforts to identify, locate, and, where appropriate,
offer services to both parents of the child.
(1)
The responsible social services agency shall assess whether a noncustodial
or nonadjudicated parent is willing and capable of providing for the day-to-day
care
of the child temporarily or permanently. An assessment under this clause
may include, but is not limited to, obtaining information under section
260C.209. If after assessment, the responsible social services agency
determines that a noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent is willing and
capable of providing day-to-day care of the child, the responsible social
services agency may seek authority from the custodial parent or the court
to have that parent assume day-to-day care of the child. If a parent is
not an adjudicated parent, the responsible social services agency shall
require the nonadjudicated parent to cooperate with paternity establishment
procedures as part of the case plan.
(2)
If, after assessment, the responsible social services agency determines
that the child cannot be in the day-to-day care of either parent, the
agency shall:
(i)
prepare an out-of-home placement plan addressing the conditions that each
parent must meet before the child can be in that parent's day-to-day care;
and
(ii)
provide a parent who is the subject of a background study under section
260C.209 15 days' notice that it intends to use the study to recommend
against putting the child with that parent, as well as the notice provided
in section 260C.209, subdivision 4, and the court shall afford the parent
an opportunity to be heard concerning the study.
The results of a background
study of a noncustodial parent shall not be used by the agency to determine
that the parent is incapable of providing day-to-day care of the child
unless the agency reasonably believes that placement of the child into
the home of that parent would endanger the child's health, safety, or
welfare.
(3)
If, after the provision of services following an out-of-home placement
plan under this section, the child cannot return to the care of the parent
from whom the child was removed or who had legal custody at the time the
child was placed in foster care, the agency may petition on behalf of
a noncustodial parent to establish legal custody with that parent under
section 260C.201, subdivision 11.
If paternity has not already been established, it may be established in
the same proceeding in the manner provided for under chapter 257.
(4)
The responsible social services agency may be relieved of the requirement
to locate and offer services to both parents by the juvenile court upon
a finding of good cause after the filing of a petition under section 260C.141.
(b)
The responsible social services agency shall give notice to the parent
or parents or guardian of each child in a residential facility, other
than a child in placement due solely to that child's developmental disability
or emotional disturbance, of the following information:
(1)
that residential care of the child may result in termination of parental
rights or an order permanently placing the child out of the custody of
the parent, but only after notice and a hearing as required under chapter
260C and the juvenile court rules;
(2)
time limits on the length of placement and of reunification services,
including the date on which the child is expected to be returned to and
safely maintained in the home of the parent or parents or placed for adoption
or otherwise permanently removed from the care of the parent by court
order;
(3)
the nature of the services available to the parent;
(4)
the consequences to the parent and the child if the parent fails or is
unable to use services to correct the circumstances that led to the child's
placement;
(5)
the first consideration for placement with relatives;
(6)
the benefit to the child in getting the child out of residential care
as soon as possible, preferably by returning the child home, but if that
is not possible,
through a permanent legal placement of the child away from the parent;
(7)
when safe for the child, the benefits to the child and the parent of maintaining
visitation with the child as soon as possible in the course of the case
and, in any event, according to the visitation plan under this section;
and
(8)
the financial responsibilities and obligations, if any, of the parent
or parents for the support of the child during the period the child is
in the residential facility.
(c)
The responsible social services agency shall inform a parent considering
voluntary placement of a child who is not developmentally disabled or
emotionally disturbed of the following information:
(1)
the parent and the child each has a right to separate legal counsel before
signing a voluntary placement agreement, but not to counsel appointed
at public expense;
(2)
the parent is not required to agree to the voluntary placement, and a
parent who enters a voluntary placement agreement may at any time request
that the agency return the child. If the parent so requests, the child
must be returned within 24 hours of the receipt of the request;
(3)
evidence gathered during the time the child is voluntarily placed may
be used at a later time as the basis for a petition alleging that the
child is in need of protection or services or as the basis for a petition
seeking termination of parental rights or other permanent placement of
the child away from the parent;
(4)
if the responsible social services agency files a petition alleging that
the child is in need of protection or services or a petition seeking the
termination
of parental rights or other permanent placement of the child away from
the parent, the parent would have the right to appointment of separate
legal counsel and the child would have a right to the appointment of counsel
and a guardian ad litem as provided by law, and that counsel will be appointed
at public expense if they are unable to afford counsel; and
(5)
the timelines and procedures for review of voluntary placements under
subdivision 3, and the effect the time spent in voluntary placement on
the scheduling of a permanent placement determination hearing under section
260C.201, subdivision 11.
(d)
When an agency accepts a child for placement, the agency shall determine
whether the child has had a physical examination by or under the direction
of a licensed physician within the 12 months immediately preceding the
date when the child came into the agency's care. If there is documentation
that the child has had an examination within the last 12 months, the agency
is responsible for seeing that the child has another physical examination
within one year of the documented examination and annually in subsequent
years. If the agency determines
that the child has not had a physical examination within the 12 months
immediately preceding placement, the agency shall ensure that the child
has an examination within 30 days of coming into the agency's care and
once a year in subsequent years.
Subd.
5. Relative search; nature.
(a) In implementing the requirement that the responsible social services
agency must consider placement with a relative under subdivision 2 without
delay after identifying the need for placement of the child in foster
care, the responsible social services agency shall identify relatives
of the child and notify them of the need for a foster care home for the
child and of the possibility of the need for a permanent out-of-home placement
of the child. The relative search required by this section shall be reasonable
and comprehensive in scope and may last up to six months or until a fit
and willing relative is identified. The relative search required by this
section shall include both maternal relatives of the child and paternal
relatives of the child, if paternity is adjudicated. The relatives must
be notified that they must keep the responsible social services agency
informed of their current address in order to receive notice that a permanent
placement is being sought for the child. A relative who fails to provide
a current address to
the responsible social services agency forfeits the right to notice of
the possibility of permanent placement. A decision by a relative not to
be a placement resource at the beginning of the case shall not affect
whether the relative is considered for placement of the child with that
relative later.
(b)
A responsible social services agency may disclose private or confidential
data, as defined in section 13.02, to relatives of the child for the purpose
of locating a suitable placement. The agency shall disclose only data
that is necessary to facilitate possible placement with relatives. If
the child's parent refuses to give the responsible social services agency
information sufficient to identify the maternal and paternal relatives
of the child, the agency shall ask the juvenile court to order the parent
to provide the necessary information. If a parent makes an explicit request
that relatives or a specific relative not be contacted or considered for
placement, the agency shall bring the parent's request to the attention
of the court to determine whether the parent's request is consistent with
the best interests of the child and the agency shall not contact relatives
or a specific relative unless authorized to do so by the juvenile court.
(c)
When the placing agency determines that a permanent placement hearing
is necessary because there is a likelihood that the child will not return
to a parent's care, the agency may send the notice provided in paragraph
(d), may ask the court to modify the requirements of the agency under
this paragraph, or may ask the court to completely relieve the agency
of the requirements of this paragraph. The relative notification requirements
of this paragraph do not apply when the child is placed with an appropriate
relative or a foster home that has committed to being the permanent legal
placement for the child and the agency approves of that foster home for
permanent placement of the child. The actions ordered by the court under
this section must be consistent with the best interests, safety, and welfare
of the child.
(d)
Unless required under the Indian Child Welfare Act [FN1]
or relieved of this duty by the court under paragraph (c), when the agency
determines that it is necessary to prepare for the permanent placement
determination hearing, or in anticipation of filing a termination of parental
rights petition, the agency shall send notice to the relatives, any adult
with whom the child is currently residing, any adult with whom the child
has resided for one year or longer in the
past, and any adults who have maintained a relationship or exercised visitation
with the child as identified in the agency case plan. The notice must
state that a permanent home is sought for the child and that the individuals
receiving the notice may indicate to the agency their interest in providing
a permanent home. The notice must state that within 30 days of receipt
of the notice an individual receiving the notice must indicate to the
agency the individual's interest in providing a permanent home for the
child or that the individual may lose the opportunity to be considered
for a permanent placement.
(e)
The Department of Human Services shall develop a best practices guide
and specialized staff training to assist the responsible social services
agency in performing and complying with the relative search requirements
under this subdivision.
Subd.
6. Change in placement.
If a child is removed from a permanent placement disposition authorized
under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, within one year after the placement
was made:
(1)
the child must be returned to the residential facility where the child
was placed immediately preceding the permanent placement; or
(2)
the court shall hold a hearing within ten days after the child is removed
from the permanent placement to determine where the child is to be placed.
A guardian ad litem must be appointed for the child for this hearing.
Subd.
7. Administrative or court review of placements.
(a) There shall be an administrative review of the out-of-home placement
plan of each child placed in a residential facility no later than 180
days after the initial placement of the child in a residential facility
and at least every six months thereafter if the child is not returned
to the home of the parent or parents within that time. The out-of-home
placement plan must be monitored and updated at each administrative review.
As an alternative to the administrative review, the social services agency
responsible for the placement may bring a petition as provided in section
260C.141, subdivision 2, to the court for review of the foster
care to determine if placement is in the best interests of the child.
This petition must be brought to the court in order for a court determination
to be made regarding the best interests of the child within the applicable
six months and is not in lieu of the requirements contained in subdivision
3 or 4. A court review conducted pursuant to section 260C.201, subdivision
11, or section 260C.141, subdivision 2, shall satisfy the requirement
for an administrative review so long as the other requirements of this
section are met.
(b)
At the review required under paragraph (a), the reviewing administrative
body or the court shall review:
(1)
the safety of the child;
(2)
the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the placement;
(3)
the extent of compliance with the out-of-home placement plan;
(4)
where appropriate, the extent of progress which has been made toward alleviating
or mitigating the causes necessitating placement in a residential facility;
(5)
where appropriate, the projected date by which the child may be returned
to and safely maintained in the home or placed permanently away from the
care of the parent or parents or guardian; and
(6)
the appropriateness of the services provided to the child.
Subd.
8. Review of voluntary placements.
Except for a child in placement due solely to the child's developmental
disability or emotional disturbance, if the child has been placed in a
residential facility pursuant to a voluntary release by the parent or
parents, and is not returned home within 90 days after initial placement
in the residential facility, the social services agency responsible for
the placement shall:
(1)
return the child to the home of the parent or parents; or
(2)
file a petition according to section 260C.141, subdivision 1 or 2, which
may:
(i)
ask the court to review the placement and approve it for up to an additional
90 days;
(ii)
ask the court to order continued out-of-home placement according to sections
260C.178 and 260C.201; or
(iii)
ask the court to terminate parental rights under section 260C.301.
The
out-of-home placement plan must be updated and filed along with the petition.
If the court approves
continued out-of-home placement for up to 90 more days, at the end of
the court-approved 90-day period, the child must be returned to the parent's
home. If the child is not returned home, the responsible social services
agency must proceed on the petition filed alleging the child in need of
protection or services or the petition for termination of parental rights
or other permanent placement of the child away from the parent. The court
must find a statutory basis to order the placement of the child under
section 260C.178; 260C.201; or 260C.317.
Subd.
9. Review of certain child placements.
(a) If a developmentally disabled child or a child diagnosed as emotionally
disturbed has been placed in a residential facility pursuant to a voluntary
release by the child's parent or parents because of the child's handicapping
conditions or need for long-term residential
treatment or supervision, the social services agency responsible for the
placement shall report to the court and bring a petition for review of
the child's foster care status as required in section 260C.141, subdivision
2, paragraph (b).
(b)
If a child is in placement due solely to the child's developmental disability
or emotional disturbance, and the court finds compelling reasons not to
proceed under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, custody of the child is
not transferred to the responsible social services agency under section
260C.201, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and no petition is
required by section 260C.201, subdivision 11.
(c)
Whenever a petition for review is brought pursuant to this subdivision,
a guardian ad litem shall be appointed for the child.
Subd.
10. Rules; children in residential facilities.
The commissioner of human services shall promulgate all rules necessary
to carry out the provisions of
Public Law 96-272 [FN2]
as regards the establishment of a state goal for the reduction of the
number of children in residential facilities beyond 24 months.
Subd.
11. Rules.
The commissioner shall revise Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0010 to 9545.0260,
the rules setting standards for family and group family foster care. The
commissioner shall:
(1)
require that, as a condition of licensure, foster care providers attend
training on understanding and validating the cultural heritage of all
children in their care, and on the importance of the Indian Child Welfare
Act, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 1923, and the Minnesota
Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835; and
(2)
review and, where necessary, revise foster care rules to reflect sensitivity
to cultural diversity and differing lifestyles. Specifically, the commissioner
shall examine whether space and other requirements discriminate against
single-parent, minority, or low-income families who may be able to provide
quality foster care reflecting the values of their own respective cultures.
Subd.
12. Fair hearing review.
Any person whose claim for foster care payment pursuant to the placement
of a child resulting from a child protection assessment under section
626.556 is denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness may appeal
the decision under section 256.045, subdivision 3.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1999, c. 139, art.
3, § 26. Amended by Laws 1999, c. 139, art. 4, § 2; Laws 2001,
c. 178, art. 1, §§ 25 to 31, 44; Laws 2002, c. 290, § 2;
Laws 2004, c. 288, art. 3, § 30; Laws 2005, c. 98, art. 3, §
21; Laws 2005, c. 136, art. 15, § 7; Laws 2005, c. 165, art. 2, §
6, eff. June 4, 2005.
[FN1]
25 U.S.C.A. §§ 1901 to 1923.
[FN2]
Public Law Number 96-272, the adoption assistance and child welfare act
of 1980, was coded in part in 42 U.S.C.A. § 602 et seq., and 42 U.S.C.A.
§ 1305 et seq.
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