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S. B. No. 152 As IntroducedAs Introduced
130th General Assembly | Regular Session | 2013-2014 |
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Cosponsors:
Senators Beagle, Cafaro, Jones, LaRose, Manning, Patton
A BILL
To amend sections 2151.281, 2151.353, 2151.414,
2151.415, 2151.417, and 5103.162 of the Revised
Code to permit a court to grant a motion for
permanent custody of a child to a movant if the
child or another child in the custody of the
parent has been adjudicated an abused, neglected,
or dependent child on three separate occasions, to
require the court to appoint a guardian ad litem
in any proceeding concerning an alleged dependent
child, to require the guardian ad litem for an
alleged or adjudicated abused, neglected, or
dependent child to file any motions and other
court papers in accordance with rules adopted by
the Supreme Court, to require foster caregivers to
use a reasonable and prudent parent standard when
authorizing a foster child to participate in
activities, to exempt the caregiver from civil or
criminal liability that results from a foster
caregiver's or agency's decisions made in good
faith, and to limit the circumstances under which
a child is placed into a planned permanent living
arrangement.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 2151.281, 2151.353, 2151.414,
2151.415, 2151.417, and 5103.162 of the Revised Code be amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 2151.281. (A) The court shall appoint a guardian ad
litem, subject to rules adopted by the supreme court, to protect
the interest of a child in any proceeding concerning an alleged or
adjudicated delinquent child or unruly child when either of the
following applies:
(1) The child has no parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
(2) The court finds that there is a conflict of interest
between the child and the child's parent, guardian, or legal
custodian.
(B)(1) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, subject
to rules adopted by the supreme court, to protect the interest of
a child in any proceeding concerning an alleged abused or,
neglected, or dependent child and in any proceeding held pursuant
to section 2151.414 of the Revised Code. The guardian ad litem so
appointed shall not be the attorney responsible for presenting the
evidence alleging that the child is an abused or, neglected, or
dependent child and shall not be an employee of any party in the
proceeding.
(2) The guardian ad litem appointed for an alleged or
adjudicated abused or neglected child may bring a civil action
against any person who is required by division (A)(1) or (4) of
section 2151.421 of the Revised Code to file a report of child
abuse or child neglect that is known or reasonably suspected or
believed to have occurred if that person knows, or has reasonable
cause to suspect or believe based on facts that would cause a
reasonable person in a similar position to suspect or believe, as
applicable, that the child for whom the guardian ad litem is
appointed is the subject of child abuse or child neglect and does
not file the required report and if the child suffers any injury
or harm as a result of the child abuse or child neglect that is
known or reasonably suspected or believed to have occurred or
suffers additional injury or harm after the failure to file the
report.
(C) In any proceeding concerning an alleged or adjudicated
delinquent, unruly, abused, neglected, or dependent child in which
the parent appears to be mentally incompetent or is under eighteen
years of age, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to
protect the interest of that parent.
(D) The court shall require the guardian ad litem to
faithfully discharge the guardian ad litem's duties and, upon the
guardian ad litem's failure to faithfully discharge the guardian
ad litem's duties, shall discharge the guardian ad litem and
appoint another guardian ad litem. The court may fix the
compensation for the service of the guardian ad litem, which
compensation shall be paid from the treasury of the county,
subject to rules adopted by the supreme court.
(E) A parent who is eighteen years of age or older and not
mentally incompetent shall be deemed sui juris for the purpose of
any proceeding relative to a child of the parent who is alleged or
adjudicated to be an abused, neglected, or dependent child.
(F) In any case in which a parent of a child alleged or
adjudicated to be an abused, neglected, or dependent child is
under eighteen years of age, the parents of that parent shall be
summoned to appear at any hearing respecting the child, who is
alleged or adjudicated to be an abused, neglected, or dependent
child.
(G) In any case involving an alleged or adjudicated abused
or, neglected, or dependent child or an agreement for the
voluntary surrender of temporary or permanent custody of a child
that is made in accordance with section 5103.15 of the Revised
Code, the court shall appoint the guardian ad litem in each case
as soon as possible after the complaint is filed, the request for
an extension of the temporary custody agreement is filed with the
court, or the request for court approval of the permanent custody
agreement is filed. In any case involving an alleged dependent
child in which the parent of the child appears to be mentally
incompetent or is under eighteen years of age, there is a conflict
of interest between the child and the child's parents, guardian,
or custodian, or the court believes that the parent of the child
is not capable of representing the best interest of the child, the
court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child. The
guardian ad litem or the guardian ad litem's replacement shall
continue to serve until any of the following occur:
(1) The complaint is dismissed or the request for an
extension of a temporary custody agreement or for court approval
of the permanent custody agreement is withdrawn or denied;
(2) All dispositional orders relative to the child have
terminated;
(3) The legal custody of the child is granted to a relative
of the child, or to another person;
(4) The child is placed in an adoptive home or, at the
court's discretion, a final decree of adoption is issued with
respect to the child;
(5) The child reaches the age of eighteen if the child is not
mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically
impaired or the child reaches the age of twenty-one if the child
is mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically
impaired;
(6) The guardian ad litem resigns or is removed by the court
and a replacement is appointed by the court.
If a guardian ad litem ceases to serve a child pursuant to
division (G)(4) of this section and the petition for adoption with
respect to the child is denied or withdrawn prior to the issuance
of a final decree of adoption or prior to the date an
interlocutory order of adoption becomes final, the juvenile court
shall reappoint a guardian ad litem for that child. The public
children services agency or private child placing agency with
permanent custody of the child shall notify the juvenile court if
the petition for adoption is denied or withdrawn.
(H) If the guardian ad litem for an alleged or adjudicated
abused, neglected, or dependent child is an attorney admitted to
the practice of law in this state, the guardian ad litem also may
serve as counsel to the ward. Until the supreme court adopts rules
regarding service as a guardian ad litem that regulate conflicts
between a person's role as guardian ad litem and as counsel, if a
person is serving as guardian ad litem and counsel for a child and
either that person or the court finds that a conflict may exist
between the person's roles as guardian ad litem and as counsel,
the court shall relieve the person of duties as guardian ad litem
and appoint someone else as guardian ad litem for the child. If
the court appoints a person who is not an attorney admitted to the
practice of law in this state to be a guardian ad litem, the court
also may appoint an attorney admitted to the practice of law in
this state to serve as counsel for the guardian ad litem.
(I) The guardian ad litem for an alleged or adjudicated
abused, neglected, or dependent child shall perform whatever
functions are necessary to protect the best interest of the child,
including, but not limited to, investigation, mediation,
monitoring court proceedings, and monitoring the services provided
the child by the public children services agency or private child
placing agency that has temporary or permanent custody of the
child, and shall file any motions and other court papers that are
in the best interest of the child in accordance with rules adopted
by the supreme court.
The guardian ad litem shall be given notice of all hearings,
administrative reviews, and other proceedings in the same manner
as notice is given to parties to the action.
(J)(1) When the court appoints a guardian ad litem pursuant
to this section, it shall appoint a qualified volunteer or court
appointed special advocate whenever one is available and the
appointment is appropriate.
(2) Upon request, the department of job and family services
shall provide for the training of volunteer guardians ad litem.
Sec. 2151.353. (A) If a child is adjudicated an abused,
neglected, or dependent child, the court may make any of the
following orders of disposition:
(1) Place the child in protective supervision;
(2) Commit the child to the temporary custody of a public
children services agency, a private child placing agency, either
parent, a relative residing within or outside the state, or a
probation officer for placement in a certified foster home, or in
any other home approved by the court;
(3) Award legal custody of the child to either parent or to
any other person who, prior to the dispositional hearing, files a
motion requesting legal custody of the child or is identified as a
proposed legal custodian in a complaint or motion filed prior to
the dispositional hearing by any party to the proceedings. A
person identified in a complaint or motion filed by a party to the
proceedings as a proposed legal custodian shall be awarded legal
custody of the child only if the person identified signs a
statement of understanding for legal custody that contains at
least the following provisions:
(a) That it is the intent of the person to become the legal
custodian of the child and the person is able to assume legal
responsibility for the care and supervision of the child;
(b) That the person understands that legal custody of the
child in question is intended to be permanent in nature and that
the person will be responsible as the custodian for the child
until the child reaches the age of majority. Responsibility as
custodian for the child shall continue beyond the age of majority
if, at the time the child reaches the age of majority, the child
is pursuing a diploma granted by the board of education or other
governing authority, successful completion of the curriculum of
any high school, successful completion of an individualized
education program developed for the student by any high school, or
an age and schooling certificate. Responsibility beyond the age of
majority shall terminate when the child ceases to continuously
pursue such an education, completes such an education, or is
excused from such an education under standards adopted by the
state board of education, whichever occurs first.
(c) That the parents of the child have residual parental
rights, privileges, and responsibilities, including, but not
limited to, the privilege of reasonable visitation, consent to
adoption, the privilege to determine the child's religious
affiliation, and the responsibility for support;
(d) That the person understands that the person must be
present in court for the dispositional hearing in order to affirm
the person's intention to become legal custodian, to affirm that
the person understands the effect of the custodianship before the
court, and to answer any questions that the court or any parties
to the case may have.
(4) Commit the child to the permanent custody of a public
children services agency or private child placing agency, if the
court determines in accordance with division (E) of section
2151.414 of the Revised Code that the child cannot be placed with
one of the child's parents within a reasonable time or should not
be placed with either parent and determines in accordance with
division (D)(1) of section 2151.414 of the Revised Code that the
permanent commitment is in the best interest of the child. If the
court grants permanent custody under this division, the court,
upon the request of any party, shall file a written opinion
setting forth its findings of fact and conclusions of law in
relation to the proceeding.
(5) Place the child in a planned permanent living arrangement
with a public children services agency or private child placing
agency, if a public children services agency or private child
placing agency requests the court to place the child in a planned
permanent living arrangement and if the court finds, by clear and
convincing evidence, that a planned permanent living arrangement
is in the best interest of the child and that one of the following
exists:
(a) The child, because of physical, mental, or psychological
problems or needs, is unable to function in a family-like setting
and must remain in residential or institutional care now and for
the foreseeable future beyond the date of the dispositional
hearing held pursuant to section 2151.35 of the Revised Code.
(b) The child is sixteen years of age or older, the parents
of the child have significant physical, mental, or psychological
problems and are unable to care for the child because of those
problems, adoption is not in the best interest of the child, as
determined in accordance with division (D)(1) of section 2151.414
of the Revised Code, and the child retains a significant and
positive relationship with a parent or relative.
(c) The child is sixteen years of age or older, has been
counseled on the permanent placement options available to the
child, and is unwilling to accept or unable to adapt to a
permanent placement, and is in an agency program preparing the
child for independent living.
(6) Order the removal from the child's home until further
order of the court of the person who committed abuse as described
in section 2151.031 of the Revised Code against the child, who
caused or allowed the child to suffer neglect as described in
section 2151.03 of the Revised Code, or who is the parent,
guardian, or custodian of a child who is adjudicated a dependent
child and order any person not to have contact with the child or
the child's siblings.
(B)(1) When making a determination on whether to place a
child in a planned permanent living arrangement pursuant to
division (A)(5)(b) or (c) of this section, the court shall
consider all relevant information that has been presented to the
court, including information gathered from the child, the child's
guardian ad litem, or the public children services agency or
private child placing agency.
(2) A child who is placed in a planned permanent living
arrangement pursuant to division (A)(5)(b) or (c) of this section
shall be placed in an independent living setting or in a family
setting in which the caregiver has signed a statement of
understanding of a planned permanent living arrangement that
addresses the following:
(a) The caregiver understands that the planned permanent
living arrangement is intended to be permanent in nature and that
the caregiver will be responsible for the child through the
child's emancipation or until the court releases the child from
the custody of the agency, whichever occurs first.
(b) The caregiver pledges the caregiver will actively
participate in the youth's independent living case plan, attend
agency team meetings and court hearings as appropriate, and assist
in the child's transition into adulthood.
(C) No order for permanent custody or temporary custody of a
child or the placement of a child in a planned permanent living
arrangement shall be made pursuant to this section unless the
complaint alleging the abuse, neglect, or dependency contains a
prayer requesting permanent custody, temporary custody, or the
placement of the child in a planned permanent living arrangement
as desired, the summons served on the parents of the child
contains as is appropriate a full explanation that the granting of
an order for permanent custody permanently divests them of their
parental rights, a full explanation that an adjudication that the
child is an abused, neglected, or dependent child may result in an
order of temporary custody that will cause the removal of the
child from their legal custody until the court terminates the
order of temporary custody or permanently divests the parents of
their parental rights, or a full explanation that the granting of
an order for a planned permanent living arrangement will result in
the removal of the child from their legal custody if any of the
conditions listed in divisions (A)(5)(a) to (c) of this section
are found to exist, and the summons served on the parents contains
a full explanation of their right to be represented by counsel and
to have counsel appointed pursuant to Chapter 120. of the Revised
Code if they are indigent.
If after making disposition as authorized by division (A)(2)
of this section, a motion is filed that requests permanent custody
of the child, the court may grant permanent custody of the child
to the movant in accordance with section 2151.414 of the Revised
Code.
(C)(D) If the court issues an order for protective
supervision pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section, the court
may place any reasonable restrictions upon the child, the child's
parents, guardian, or custodian, or any other person, including,
but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Order a party, within forty-eight hours after the
issuance of the order, to vacate the child's home indefinitely or
for a specified period of time;
(2) Order a party, a parent of the child, or a physical
custodian of the child to prevent any particular person from
having contact with the child;
(3) Issue an order restraining or otherwise controlling the
conduct of any person which conduct would not be in the best
interest of the child.
(D)(E) As part of its dispositional order, the court shall
journalize a case plan for the child. The journalized case plan
shall not be changed except as provided in section 2151.412 of the
Revised Code.
(E)(F)(1) The court shall retain jurisdiction over any child
for whom the court issues an order of disposition pursuant to
division (A) of this section or pursuant to section 2151.414 or
2151.415 of the Revised Code until the child attains the age of
eighteen years if the child is not mentally retarded,
developmentally disabled, or physically impaired, the child
attains the age of twenty-one years if the child is mentally
retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired, or the
child is adopted and a final decree of adoption is issued, except
that the court may retain jurisdiction over the child and continue
any order of disposition under division (A) of this section or
under section 2151.414 or 2151.415 of the Revised Code for a
specified period of time to enable the child to graduate from high
school or vocational school. The court shall make an entry
continuing its jurisdiction under this division in the journal.
(2) Any public children services agency, any private child
placing agency, the department of job and family services, or any
party, other than any parent whose parental rights with respect to
the child have been terminated pursuant to an order issued under
division (A)(4) of this section, by filing a motion with the
court, may at any time request the court to modify or terminate
any order of disposition issued pursuant to division (A) of this
section or section 2151.414 or 2151.415 of the Revised Code. The
court shall hold a hearing upon the motion as if the hearing were
the original dispositional hearing and shall give all parties to
the action and the guardian ad litem notice of the hearing
pursuant to the Juvenile Rules. If applicable, the court shall
comply with section 2151.42 of the Revised Code.
(F)(G) Any temporary custody order issued pursuant to
division (A) of this section shall terminate one year after the
earlier of the date on which the complaint in the case was filed
or the child was first placed into shelter care, except that, upon
the filing of a motion pursuant to section 2151.415 of the Revised
Code, the temporary custody order shall continue and not terminate
until the court issues a dispositional order under that section.
In resolving the motion, the court shall not order an existing
temporary custody order to continue beyond two years after the
date on which the complaint was filed or the child was first
placed into shelter care, whichever date is earlier, regardless of
whether any extensions have been previously ordered pursuant to
division (D) of section 2151.415 of the Revised Code.
(G)(H)(1) No later than one year after the earlier of the
date the complaint in the case was filed or the child was first
placed in shelter care, a party may ask the court to extend an
order for protective supervision for six months or to terminate
the order. A party requesting extension or termination of the
order shall file a written request for the extension or
termination with the court and give notice of the proposed
extension or termination in writing before the end of the day
after the day of filing it to all parties and the child's guardian
ad litem. If a public children services agency or private child
placing agency requests termination of the order, the agency shall
file a written status report setting out the facts supporting
termination of the order at the time it files the request with the
court. If no party requests extension or termination of the order,
the court shall notify the parties that the court will extend the
order for six months or terminate it and that it may do so without
a hearing unless one of the parties requests a hearing. All
parties and the guardian ad litem shall have seven days from the
date a notice is sent pursuant to this division to object to and
request a hearing on the proposed extension or termination.
(a) If it receives a timely request for a hearing, the court
shall schedule a hearing to be held no later than thirty days
after the request is received by the court. The court shall give
notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing to all
parties and the guardian ad litem. At the hearing, the court shall
determine whether extension or termination of the order is in the
child's best interest. If termination is in the child's best
interest, the court shall terminate the order. If extension is in
the child's best interest, the court shall extend the order for
six months.
(b) If it does not receive a timely request for a hearing,
the court may extend the order for six months or terminate it
without a hearing and shall journalize the order of extension or
termination not later than fourteen days after receiving the
request for extension or termination or after the date the court
notifies the parties that it will extend or terminate the order.
If the court does not extend or terminate the order, it shall
schedule a hearing to be held no later than thirty days after the
expiration of the applicable fourteen-day time period and give
notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing to all
parties and the child's guardian ad litem. At the hearing, the
court shall determine whether extension or termination of the
order is in the child's best interest. If termination is in the
child's best interest, the court shall terminate the order. If
extension is in the child's best interest, the court shall issue
an order extending the order for protective supervision six
months.
(2) If the court grants an extension of the order for
protective supervision pursuant to division (G)(H)(1) of this
section, a party may, prior to termination of the extension, file
with the court a request for an additional extension of six months
or for termination of the order. The court and the parties shall
comply with division (G)(H)(1) of this section with respect to
extending or terminating the order.
(3) If a court grants an extension pursuant to division
(G)(H)(2) of this section, the court shall terminate the order for
protective supervision at the end of the extension.
(H)(I) The court shall not issue a dispositional order
pursuant to division (A) of this section that removes a child from
the child's home unless the court complies with section 2151.419
of the Revised Code and includes in the dispositional order the
findings of fact required by that section.
(I)(J) If a motion or application for an order described in
division (A)(6) of this section is made, the court shall not issue
the order unless, prior to the issuance of the order, it provides
to the person all of the following:
(1) Notice and a copy of the motion or application;
(2) The grounds for the motion or application;
(3) An opportunity to present evidence and witnesses at a
hearing regarding the motion or application;
(4) An opportunity to be represented by counsel at the
hearing.
(J)(K) The jurisdiction of the court shall terminate one year
after the date of the award or, if the court takes any further
action in the matter subsequent to the award, the date of the
latest further action subsequent to the award, if the court awards
legal custody of a child to either of the following:
(1) A legal custodian who, at the time of the award of legal
custody, resides in a county of this state other than the county
in which the court is located;
(2) A legal custodian who resides in the county in which the
court is located at the time of the award of legal custody, but
moves to a different county of this state prior to one year after
the date of the award or, if the court takes any further action in
the matter subsequent to the award, one year after the date of the
latest further action subsequent to the award.
The court in the county in which the legal custodian resides
then shall have jurisdiction in the matter.
Sec. 2151.414. (A)(1) Upon the filing of a motion pursuant
to section 2151.413 of the Revised Code for permanent custody of a
child, the court shall schedule a hearing and give notice of the
filing of the motion and of the hearing, in accordance with
section 2151.29 of the Revised Code, to all parties to the action
and to the child's guardian ad litem. The notice also shall
contain a full explanation that the granting of permanent custody
permanently divests the parents of their parental rights, a full
explanation of their right to be represented by counsel and to
have counsel appointed pursuant to Chapter 120. of the Revised
Code if they are indigent, and the name and telephone number of
the court employee designated by the court pursuant to section
2151.314 of the Revised Code to arrange for the prompt appointment
of counsel for indigent persons.
The court shall conduct a hearing in accordance with section
2151.35 of the Revised Code to determine if it is in the best
interest of the child to permanently terminate parental rights and
grant permanent custody to the agency that filed the motion. The
adjudication that the child is an abused, neglected, or dependent
child and any dispositional order that has been issued in the case
under section 2151.353 of the Revised Code pursuant to the
adjudication shall not be readjudicated at the hearing and shall
not be affected by a denial of the motion for permanent custody.
(2) The court shall hold the hearing scheduled pursuant to
division (A)(1) of this section not later than one hundred twenty
days after the agency files the motion for permanent custody,
except that, for good cause shown, the court may continue the
hearing for a reasonable period of time beyond the
one-hundred-twenty-day deadline. The court shall issue an order
that grants, denies, or otherwise disposes of the motion for
permanent custody, and journalize the order, not later than two
hundred days after the agency files the motion.
If a motion is made under division (D)(2) of section 2151.413
of the Revised Code and no dispositional hearing has been held in
the case, the court may hear the motion in the dispositional
hearing required by division (B) of section 2151.35 of the Revised
Code. If the court issues an order pursuant to section 2151.353 of
the Revised Code granting permanent custody of the child to the
agency, the court shall immediately dismiss the motion made under
division (D)(2) of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code.
The failure of the court to comply with the time periods set
forth in division (A)(2) of this section does not affect the
authority of the court to issue any order under this chapter and
does not provide any basis for attacking the jurisdiction of the
court or the validity of any order of the court.
(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section,
the court may grant permanent custody of a child to a movant if
the court determines at the hearing held pursuant to division (A)
of this section, by clear and convincing evidence, that it is in
the best interest of the child to grant permanent custody of the
child to the agency that filed the motion for permanent custody
and that any of the following apply:
(a) The child is not abandoned or orphaned, has not been in
the temporary custody of one or more public children services
agencies or private child placing agencies for twelve or more
months of a consecutive twenty-two-month period, or has not been
in the temporary custody of one or more public children services
agencies or private child placing agencies for twelve or more
months of a consecutive twenty-two-month period if, as described
in division (D)(1) of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the
child was previously in the temporary custody of an equivalent
agency in another state, and the child cannot be placed with
either of the child's parents within a reasonable time or should
not be placed with the child's parents.
(b) The child is abandoned.
(c) The child is orphaned, and there are no relatives of the
child who are able to take permanent custody.
(d) The child has been in the temporary custody of one or
more public children services agencies or private child placing
agencies for twelve or more months of a consecutive
twenty-two-month period, or the child has been in the temporary
custody of one or more public children services agencies or
private child placing agencies for twelve or more months of a
consecutive twenty-two-month period and, as described in division
(D)(1) of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the child was
previously in the temporary custody of an equivalent agency in
another state.
(e) The child or another child in the custody of the parent
or parents from whose custody the child has been removed has been
adjudicated an abused, neglected, or dependent child on three
separate occasions by any court in this state or another state.
For the purposes of division (B)(1) of this section, a child
shall be considered to have entered the temporary custody of an
agency on the earlier of the date the child is adjudicated
pursuant to section 2151.28 of the Revised Code or the date that
is sixty days after the removal of the child from home.
(2) With respect to a motion made pursuant to division (D)(2)
of section 2151.413 of the Revised Code, the court shall grant
permanent custody of the child to the movant if the court
determines in accordance with division (E) of this section that
the child cannot be placed with one of the child's parents within
a reasonable time or should not be placed with either parent and
determines in accordance with division (D) of this section that
permanent custody is in the child's best interest.
(C) In making the determinations required by this section or
division (A)(4) of section 2151.353 of the Revised Code, a court
shall not consider the effect the granting of permanent custody to
the agency would have upon any parent of the child. A written
report of the guardian ad litem of the child shall be submitted to
the court prior to or at the time of the hearing held pursuant to
division (A) of this section or section 2151.35 of the Revised
Code but shall not be submitted under oath.
If the court grants permanent custody of a child to a movant
under this division, the court, upon the request of any party,
shall file a written opinion setting forth its findings of fact
and conclusions of law in relation to the proceeding. The court
shall not deny an agency's motion for permanent custody solely
because the agency failed to implement any particular aspect of
the child's case plan.
(D)(1) In determining the best interest of a child at a
hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this section or for the
purposes of division (A)(4) or (5) of section 2151.353 or division
(C) of section 2151.415 of the Revised Code, the court shall
consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the
following:
(a) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with
the child's parents, siblings, relatives, foster caregivers and
out-of-home providers, and any other person who may significantly
affect the child;
(b) The wishes of the child, as expressed directly by the
child or through the child's guardian ad litem, with due regard
for the maturity of the child;
(c) The custodial history of the child, including whether the
child has been in the temporary custody of one or more public
children services agencies or private child placing agencies for
twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two-month period, or
the child has been in the temporary custody of one or more public
children services agencies or private child placing agencies for
twelve or more months of a consecutive twenty-two-month period
and, as described in division (D)(1) of section 2151.413 of the
Revised Code, the child was previously in the temporary custody of
an equivalent agency in another state;
(d) The child's need for a legally secure permanent placement
and whether that type of placement can be achieved without a grant
of permanent custody to the agency;
(e) Whether any of the factors in divisions (E)(7) to (11) of
this section apply in relation to the parents and child.
For the purposes of division (D)(1) of this section, a child
shall be considered to have entered the temporary custody of an
agency on the earlier of the date the child is adjudicated
pursuant to section 2151.28 of the Revised Code or the date that
is sixty days after the removal of the child from home.
(2) If all of the following apply, permanent custody is in
the best interest of the child and the court shall commit the
child to the permanent custody of a public children services
agency or private child placing agency:
(a) The court determines by clear and convincing evidence
that one or more of the factors in division (E) of this section
exist and the child cannot be placed with one of the child's
parents within a reasonable time or should not be placed with
either parent.
(b) The child has been in an agency's custody for two years
or longer, and no longer qualifies for temporary custody pursuant
to division (D) of section 2151.415 of the Revised Code.
(c) The child does not meet the requirements for a planned
permanent living arrangement pursuant to division (A)(5) of
section 2151.353 of the Revised Code.
(d) Prior to the dispositional hearing, no relative or other
interested person has filed, or has been identified in, a motion
for legal custody of the child.
(E) In determining at a hearing held pursuant to division (A)
of this section or for the purposes of division (A)(4) of section
2151.353 of the Revised Code whether a child cannot be placed with
either parent within a reasonable period of time or should not be
placed with the parents, the court shall consider all relevant
evidence. If the court determines, by clear and convincing
evidence, at a hearing held pursuant to division (A) of this
section or for the purposes of division (A)(4) of section 2151.353
of the Revised Code that one or more of the following exist as to
each of the child's parents, the court shall enter a finding that
the child cannot be placed with either parent within a reasonable
time or should not be placed with either parent:
(1) Following the placement of the child outside the child's
home and notwithstanding reasonable case planning and diligent
efforts by the agency to assist the parents to remedy the problems
that initially caused the child to be placed outside the home, the
parent has failed continuously and repeatedly to substantially
remedy the conditions causing the child to be placed outside the
child's home. In determining whether the parents have
substantially remedied those conditions, the court shall consider
parental utilization of medical, psychiatric, psychological, and
other social and rehabilitative services and material resources
that were made available to the parents for the purpose of
changing parental conduct to allow them to resume and maintain
parental duties.
(2) Chronic mental illness, chronic emotional illness, mental
retardation, physical disability, or chemical dependency of the
parent that is so severe that it makes the parent unable to
provide an adequate permanent home for the child at the present
time and, as anticipated, within one year after the court holds
the hearing pursuant to division (A) of this section or for the
purposes of division (A)(4) of section 2151.353 of the Revised
Code;
(3) The parent committed any abuse as described in section
2151.031 of the Revised Code against the child, caused the child
to suffer any neglect as described in section 2151.03 of the
Revised Code, or allowed the child to suffer any neglect as
described in section 2151.03 of the Revised Code between the date
that the original complaint alleging abuse or neglect was filed
and the date of the filing of the motion for permanent custody;
(4) The parent has demonstrated a lack of commitment toward
the child by failing to regularly support, visit, or communicate
with the child when able to do so, or by other actions showing an
unwillingness to provide an adequate permanent home for the child;
(5) The parent is incarcerated for an offense committed
against the child or a sibling of the child;
(6) The parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an
offense under division (A) or (C) of section 2919.22 or under
section 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.03,
2905.04, 2905.05, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.21,
2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322,
2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.24,
2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, or 3716.11 of the
Revised Code and the child or a sibling of the child was a victim
of the offense or the parent has been convicted of or pleaded
guilty to an offense under section 2903.04 of the Revised Code, a
sibling of the child was the victim of the offense, and the parent
who committed the offense poses an ongoing danger to the child or
a sibling of the child.
(7) The parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one
of the following:
(a) An offense under section 2903.01, 2903.02, or 2903.03 of
the Revised Code or under an existing or former law of this state,
any other state, or the United States that is substantially
equivalent to an offense described in those sections and the
victim of the offense was a sibling of the child or the victim was
another child who lived in the parent's household at the time of
the offense;
(b) An offense under section 2903.11, 2903.12, or 2903.13 of
the Revised Code or under an existing or former law of this state,
any other state, or the United States that is substantially
equivalent to an offense described in those sections and the
victim of the offense is the child, a sibling of the child, or
another child who lived in the parent's household at the time of
the offense;
(c) An offense under division (B)(2) of section 2919.22 of
the Revised Code or under an existing or former law of this state,
any other state, or the United States that is substantially
equivalent to the offense described in that section and the child,
a sibling of the child, or another child who lived in the parent's
household at the time of the offense is the victim of the offense;
(d) An offense under section 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04,
2907.05, or 2907.06 of the Revised Code or under an existing or
former law of this state, any other state, or the United States
that is substantially equivalent to an offense described in those
sections and the victim of the offense is the child, a sibling of
the child, or another child who lived in the parent's household at
the time of the offense;
(e) A conspiracy or attempt to commit, or complicity in
committing, an offense described in division (E)(7)(a) or (d) of
this section.
(8) The parent has repeatedly withheld medical treatment or
food from the child when the parent has the means to provide the
treatment or food, and, in the case of withheld medical treatment,
the parent withheld it for a purpose other than to treat the
physical or mental illness or defect of the child by spiritual
means through prayer alone in accordance with the tenets of a
recognized religious body.
(9) The parent has placed the child at substantial risk of
harm two or more times due to alcohol or drug abuse and has
rejected treatment two or more times or refused to participate in
further treatment two or more times after a case plan issued
pursuant to section 2151.412 of the Revised Code requiring
treatment of the parent was journalized as part of a dispositional
order issued with respect to the child or an order was issued by
any other court requiring treatment of the parent.
(10) The parent has abandoned the child.
(11) The parent has had parental rights involuntarily
terminated with respect to a sibling of the child pursuant to this
section or section 2151.353 or 2151.415 of the Revised Code, or
under an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or
the United States that is substantially equivalent to those
sections, and the parent has failed to provide clear and
convincing evidence to prove that, notwithstanding the prior
termination, the parent can provide a legally secure permanent
placement and adequate care for the health, welfare, and safety of
the child.
(12) The parent is incarcerated at the time of the filing of
the motion for permanent custody or the dispositional hearing of
the child and will not be available to care for the child for at
least eighteen months after the filing of the motion for permanent
custody or the dispositional hearing.
(13) The parent is repeatedly incarcerated, and the repeated
incarceration prevents the parent from providing care for the
child.
(14) The parent for any reason is unwilling to provide food,
clothing, shelter, and other basic necessities for the child or to
prevent the child from suffering physical, emotional, or sexual
abuse or physical, emotional, or mental neglect.
(15) The parent has committed abuse as described in section
2151.031 of the Revised Code against the child or caused or
allowed the child to suffer neglect as described in section
2151.03 of the Revised Code, and the court determines that the
seriousness, nature, or likelihood of recurrence of the abuse or
neglect makes the child's placement with the child's parent a
threat to the child's safety.
(16) Any other factor the court considers relevant.
(F) The parents of a child for whom the court has issued an
order granting permanent custody pursuant to this section, upon
the issuance of the order, cease to be parties to the action. This
division is not intended to eliminate or restrict any right of the
parents to appeal the granting of permanent custody of their child
to a movant pursuant to this section.
Sec. 2151.415. (A) Except for cases in which a motion for
permanent custody described in division (D)(1) of section 2151.413
of the Revised Code is required to be made, a public children
services agency or private child placing agency that has been
given temporary custody of a child pursuant to section 2151.353 of
the Revised Code, not later than thirty days prior to the earlier
of the date for the termination of the custody order pursuant to
division (G)(H) of section 2151.353 of the Revised Code or the
date set at the dispositional hearing for the hearing to be held
pursuant to this section, shall file a motion with the court that
issued the order of disposition requesting that any of the
following orders of disposition of the child be issued by the
court:
(1) An order that the child be returned home and the custody
of the child's parents, guardian, or custodian without any
restrictions;
(2) An order for protective supervision;
(3) An order that the child be placed in the legal custody of
a relative or other interested individual;
(4) An order permanently terminating the parental rights of
the child's parents;
(5) An order that the child be placed in a planned permanent
living arrangement;
(6) In accordance with division (D) of this section, an order
for the extension of temporary custody.
(B) Upon the filing of a motion pursuant to division (A) of
this section, the court shall hold a dispositional hearing on the
date set at the dispositional hearing held pursuant to section
2151.35 of the Revised Code, with notice to all parties to the
action in accordance with the Juvenile Rules. After the
dispositional hearing or at a date after the dispositional hearing
that is not later than one year after the earlier of the date on
which the complaint in the case was filed or the child was first
placed into shelter care, the court, in accordance with the best
interest of the child as supported by the evidence presented at
the dispositional hearing, shall issue an order of disposition as
set forth in division (A) of this section, except that all orders
for permanent custody shall be made in accordance with sections
2151.413 and 2151.414 of the Revised Code. In issuing an order of
disposition under this section, the court shall comply with
section 2151.42 of the Revised Code.
(C)(1) If an agency pursuant to division (A) of this section
requests the court to place a child into a planned permanent
living arrangement, the agency shall present evidence to indicate
why a planned permanent living arrangement is appropriate for the
child, including, but not limited to, evidence that the agency has
tried or considered all other possible dispositions for the child.
A court shall not place a child in a planned permanent living
arrangement, unless it finds, by clear and convincing evidence,
that a planned permanent living arrangement is in the best
interest of the child and that one of the following exists:
(a) The child, because of physical, mental, or psychological
problems or needs, is unable to function in a family-like setting
and must remain in residential or institutional care.
(b) The parents of the child have significant physical,
mental, or psychological problems and are unable to care for the
child because of those problems, adoption is not in the best
interest of the child, as determined in accordance with division
(D)(1) of section 2151.414 of the Revised Code, and the child
retains a significant and positive relationship with a parent or
relative;
(c) The child is sixteen years of age or older, has been
counseled on the permanent placement options available, is
unwilling to accept or unable to adapt to a permanent placement,
and is in an agency program preparing for independent living.
(2) If the court issues an order placing a child in a planned
permanent living arrangement, both of the following apply:
(a) The court shall issue a finding of fact setting forth the
reasons for its finding;
(b) The agency may make any appropriate placement for the
child and shall develop a case plan for the child that is designed
to assist the child in finding a permanent home outside of the
home of the parents.
(D)(1) If an agency pursuant to division (A) of this section
requests the court to grant an extension of temporary custody for
a period of up to six months, the agency shall include in the
motion an explanation of the progress on the case plan of the
child and of its expectations of reunifying the child with the
child's family, or placing the child in a permanent placement,
within the extension period. The court shall schedule a hearing on
the motion, give notice of its date, time, and location to all
parties and the guardian ad litem of the child, and at the hearing
consider the evidence presented by the parties and the guardian ad
litem. The court may extend the temporary custody order of the
child for a period of up to six months, if it determines at the
hearing, by clear and convincing evidence, that the extension is
in the best interest of the child, there has been significant
progress on the case plan of the child, and there is reasonable
cause to believe that the child will be reunified with one of the
parents or otherwise permanently placed within the period of
extension. In determining whether to extend the temporary custody
of the child pursuant to this division, the court shall comply
with section 2151.42 of the Revised Code. If the court extends the
temporary custody of the child pursuant to this division, upon
request it shall issue findings of fact.
(2) Prior to the end of the extension granted pursuant to
division (D)(1) of this section, the agency that received the
extension shall file a motion with the court requesting the
issuance of one of the orders of disposition set forth in
divisions (A)(1) to (5) of this section or requesting the court to
extend the temporary custody order of the child for an additional
period of up to six months. If the agency requests the issuance of
an order of disposition under divisions (A)(1) to (5) of this
section or does not file any motion prior to the expiration of the
extension period, the court shall conduct a hearing in accordance
with division (B) of this section and issue an appropriate order
of disposition. In issuing an order of disposition, the court
shall comply with section 2151.42 of the Revised Code.
If the agency requests an additional extension of up to six
months of the temporary custody order of the child, the court
shall schedule and conduct a hearing in the manner set forth in
division (D)(1) of this section. The court may extend the
temporary custody order of the child for an additional period of
up to six months if it determines at the hearing, by clear and
convincing evidence, that the additional extension is in the best
interest of the child, there has been substantial additional
progress since the original extension of temporary custody in the
case plan of the child, there has been substantial additional
progress since the original extension of temporary custody toward
reunifying the child with one of the parents or otherwise
permanently placing the child, and there is reasonable cause to
believe that the child will be reunified with one of the parents
or otherwise placed in a permanent setting before the expiration
of the additional extension period. In determining whether to
grant an additional extension, the court shall comply with section
2151.42 of the Revised Code. If the court extends the temporary
custody of the child for an additional period pursuant to this
division, upon request it shall issue findings of fact.
(3) Prior to the end of the extension of a temporary custody
order granted pursuant to division (D)(2) of this section, the
agency that received the extension shall file a motion with the
court requesting the issuance of one of the orders of disposition
set forth in divisions (A)(1) to (5) of this section. Upon the
filing of the motion by the agency or, if the agency does not file
the motion prior to the expiration of the extension period, upon
its own motion, the court, prior to the expiration of the
extension period, shall conduct a hearing in accordance with
division (B) of this section and issue an appropriate order of
disposition. In issuing an order of disposition, the court shall
comply with section 2151.42 of the Revised Code.
(4) No court shall grant an agency more than two extensions
of temporary custody pursuant to division (D) of this section and
the court shall not order an existing temporary custody order to
continue beyond two years after the date on which the complaint
was filed or the child was first placed into shelter care,
whichever date is earlier, regardless of whether any extensions
have been previously ordered pursuant to division (D) of this
section.
(E) After the issuance of an order pursuant to division (B)
of this section, the court shall retain jurisdiction over the
child until the child attains the age of eighteen if the child is
not mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically
impaired, the child attains the age of twenty-one if the child is
mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically
impaired, or the child is adopted and a final decree of adoption
is issued, unless the court's jurisdiction over the child is
extended pursuant to division (E)(F) of section 2151.353 of the
Revised Code.
(F) The court, on its own motion or the motion of the agency
or person with legal custody of the child, the child's guardian ad
litem, or any other party to the action, may conduct a hearing
with notice to all parties to determine whether any order issued
pursuant to this section should be modified or terminated or
whether any other dispositional order set forth in divisions
(A)(1) to (5) of this section should be issued. After the hearing
and consideration of all the evidence presented, the court, in
accordance with the best interest of the child, may modify or
terminate any order issued pursuant to this section or issue any
dispositional order set forth in divisions (A)(1) to (5) of this
section. In rendering a decision under this division, the court
shall comply with section 2151.42 of the Revised Code.
(G) If the court places a child in a planned permanent living
arrangement with a public children services agency or a private
child placing agency pursuant to this section, the agency with
which the child is placed in a planned permanent living
arrangement shall not remove the child from the residential
placement in which the child is originally placed pursuant to the
case plan for the child or in which the child is placed with court
approval pursuant to this division, unless the court and the
guardian ad litem are given notice of the intended removal and the
court issues an order approving the removal or unless the removal
is necessary to protect the child from physical or emotional harm
and the agency gives the court notice of the removal and of the
reasons why the removal is necessary to protect the child from
physical or emotional harm immediately after the removal of the
child from the prior setting.
(H) If the hearing held under this section takes the place of
an administrative review that otherwise would have been held under
section 2151.416 of the Revised Code, the court at the hearing
held under this section shall do all of the following in addition
to any other requirements of this section:
(1) Determine the continued necessity for and the
appropriateness of the child's placement;
(2) Determine the extent of compliance with the child's case
plan;
(3) Determine the extent of progress that has been made
toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating the
child's placement in foster care;
(4) Project a likely date by which the child may be returned
to the child's home or placed for adoption or legal guardianship;
(5) Approve the permanency plan for the child consistent with
section 2151.417 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 2151.417. (A) Any court that issues a dispositional
order pursuant to section 2151.353, 2151.414, or 2151.415 of the
Revised Code may review at any time the child's placement or
custody arrangement, the case plan prepared for the child pursuant
to section 2151.412 of the Revised Code, the actions of the public
children services agency or private child placing agency in
implementing that case plan, the child's permanency plan if the
child's permanency plan has been approved, and any other aspects
of the child's placement or custody arrangement. In conducting the
review, the court shall determine the appropriateness of any
agency actions, the safety and appropriateness of continuing the
child's placement or custody arrangement, and whether any changes
should be made with respect to the child's permanency plan or
placement or custody arrangement or with respect to the actions of
the agency under the child's placement or custody arrangement.
Based upon the evidence presented at a hearing held after notice
to all parties and the guardian ad litem of the child, the court
may require the agency, the parents, guardian, or custodian of the
child, and the physical custodians of the child to take any
reasonable action that the court determines is necessary and in
the best interest of the child or to discontinue any action that
it determines is not in the best interest of the child.
(B) If a court issues a dispositional order pursuant to
section 2151.353, 2151.414, or 2151.415 of the Revised Code, the
court has continuing jurisdiction over the child as set forth in
division (E)(F)(1) of section 2151.353 of the Revised Code. The
court may amend a dispositional order in accordance with division
(E)(F)(2) of section 2151.353 of the Revised Code at any time upon
its own motion or upon the motion of any interested party. The
court shall comply with section 2151.42 of the Revised Code in
amending any dispositional order pursuant to this division.
(C) Any court that issues a dispositional order pursuant to
section 2151.353, 2151.414, or 2151.415 of the Revised Code shall
hold a review hearing one year after the earlier of the date on
which the complaint in the case was filed or the child was first
placed into shelter care to review the case plan prepared pursuant
to section 2151.412 of the Revised Code and the child's placement
or custody arrangement, to approve or review the permanency plan
for the child, and to make changes to the case plan and placement
or custody arrangement consistent with the permanency plan. The
court shall schedule the review hearing at the time that it holds
the dispositional hearing pursuant to section 2151.35 of the
Revised Code.
The court shall hold a similar review hearing no later than
every twelve months after the initial review hearing until the
child is adopted, returned to the parents, or the court otherwise
terminates the child's placement or custody arrangement, except
that the dispositional hearing held pursuant to section 2151.415
of the Revised Code shall take the place of the first review
hearing to be held under this section. The court shall schedule
each subsequent review hearing at the conclusion of the review
hearing immediately preceding the review hearing to be scheduled.
(D) If, within fourteen days after a written summary of an
administrative review is filed with the court pursuant to section
2151.416 of the Revised Code, the court does not approve the
proposed change to the case plan filed pursuant to division (E) of
section 2151.416 of the Revised Code or a party or the guardian ad
litem requests a review hearing pursuant to division (E) of that
section, the court shall hold a review hearing in the same manner
that it holds review hearings pursuant to division (C) of this
section, except that if a review hearing is required by this
division and if a hearing is to be held pursuant to division (C)
of this section or section 2151.415 of the Revised Code, the
hearing held pursuant to division (C) of this section or section
2151.415 of the Revised Code shall take the place of the review
hearing required by this division.
(E) If a court determines pursuant to section 2151.419 of the
Revised Code that a public children services agency or private
child placing agency is not required to make reasonable efforts to
prevent the removal of a child from the child's home, eliminate
the continued removal of a child from the child's home, and return
the child to the child's home, and the court does not return the
child to the child's home pursuant to division (A)(3) of section
2151.419 of the Revised Code, the court shall hold a review
hearing to approve the permanency plan for the child and, if
appropriate, to make changes to the child's case plan and the
child's placement or custody arrangement consistent with the
permanency plan. The court may hold the hearing immediately
following the determination under section 2151.419 of the Revised
Code and shall hold it no later than thirty days after making that
determination.
(F) The court shall give notice of the review hearings held
pursuant to this section to every interested party, including, but
not limited to, the appropriate agency employees who are
responsible for the child's care and planning, the child's
parents, any person who had guardianship or legal custody of the
child prior to the custody order, the child's guardian ad litem,
and the child. The court shall summon every interested party to
appear at the review hearing and give them an opportunity to
testify and to present other evidence with respect to the child's
custody arrangement, including, but not limited to, the following:
the case plan for the child,; the permanency plan, if one exists;
the actions taken by the child's custodian; the need for a change
in the child's custodian or caseworker; and the need for any
specific action to be taken with respect to the child. The court
shall require any interested party to testify or present other
evidence when necessary to a proper determination of the issues
presented at the review hearing. In any review hearing that
pertains to a permanency plan for a child who will not be returned
to the parent, the court shall consider in-state and out-of-state
placement options and the court shall determine whether the
in-state or the out-of-state placement continues to be appropriate
and in the best interests of the child. In any review hearing that
pertains to a permanency plan for a child, the court or a citizens
board appointed by the court pursuant to division (H) of this
section shall consult with the child, in an age-appropriate
manner, regarding the proposed permanency plan for the child.
(G) After the review hearing, the court shall take the
following actions based upon the evidence presented:
(1) If an administrative review has been conducted, determine
whether the conclusions of the review are supported by a
preponderance of the evidence and approve or modify the case plan
based upon that evidence;
(2) If the hearing was held under division (C) or (E) of this
section, approve a permanency plan for the child that specifies
whether and, if applicable, when the child will be safely returned
home or placed for adoption, for legal custody, or in a planned
permanent living arrangement. A permanency plan approved after a
hearing under division (E) of this section shall not include any
provision requiring the child to be returned to the child's home.
(3) If the child is in temporary custody, do all of the
following:
(a) Determine whether the child can and should be returned
home with or without an order for protective supervision;
(b) If the child can and should be returned home with or
without an order for protective supervision, terminate the order
for temporary custody;
(c) If the child cannot or should not be returned home with
an order for protective supervision, determine whether the agency
currently with custody of the child should retain custody or
whether another public children services agency, private child
placing agency, or an individual should be given custody of the
child.
The court shall comply with section 2151.42 of the Revised
Code in taking any action under this division.
(4) If the child is in permanent custody, determine what
actions are required by the custodial agency and of any other
organizations or persons in order to facilitate an adoption of the
child and make any appropriate orders with respect to the custody
arrangement or conditions of the child, including, but not limited
to, a transfer of permanent custody to another public children
services agency or private child placing agency;
(5) Journalize the terms of the updated case plan for the
child.
(H) The court may appoint a referee or a citizens review
board to conduct the review hearings that the court is required by
this section to conduct, subject to the review and approval by the
court of any determinations made by the referee or citizens review
board. If the court appoints a citizens review board to conduct
the review hearings, the board shall consist of one member
representing the general public and four members who are trained
or experienced in the care or placement of children and have
training or experience in the fields of medicine, psychology,
social work, education, or any related field. Of the initial
appointments to the board, two shall be for a term of one year,
two shall be for a term of two years, and one shall be for a term
of three years, with all the terms ending one year after the date
on which the appointment was made. Thereafter, all terms of the
board members shall be for three years and shall end on the same
day of the same month of the year as did the term that they
succeed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to
the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was
appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term.
(I) A copy of the court's determination following any review
hearing held pursuant to this section shall be sent to the
custodial agency, the guardian ad litem of the child who is the
subject of the review hearing, and, if that child is not the
subject of a permanent commitment hearing, the parents of the
child.
(J) If the hearing held under this section takes the place of
an administrative review that otherwise would have been held under
section 2151.416 of the Revised Code, the court at the hearing
held under this section shall do all of the following in addition
to any other requirements of this section:
(1) Determine the continued necessity for and the safety and
appropriateness of the child's placement;
(2) Determine the extent of compliance with the child's case
plan;
(3) Determine the extent of progress that has been made
toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating the
child's placement in foster care;
(4) Project a likely date by which the child may be safely
returned home or placed for adoption or legal custody.
(K)(1) Whenever the court is required to approve a permanency
plan under this section or section 2151.415 of the Revised Code,
the public children services agency or private child placing
agency that filed the complaint in the case, has custody of the
child, or will be given custody of the child shall develop a
permanency plan for the child. The agency must file the plan with
the court prior to the hearing under this section or section
2151.415 of the Revised Code.
(2) The permanency plan developed by the agency must specify
whether and, if applicable, when the child will be safely returned
home or placed for adoption or legal custody. If the agency
determines that there is a compelling reason why returning the
child home or placing the child for adoption or legal custody is
not in the best interest of the child, the plan shall provide that
the child will be placed in a planned permanent living
arrangement. A permanency plan developed as a result of a
determination made under division (A)(2) of section 2151.419 of
the Revised Code may not include any provision requiring the child
to be returned home.
Sec. 5103.162. (A) Except as provided in division (B) of this
section, a foster caregiver shall be immune from liability in a
civil action to recover damages for injury, death, or loss to
person or property allegedly caused by an act or omission in
connection with a power, duty, responsibility, or authorization
under this chapter or under rules adopted under authority of this
chapter.
(B) The immunity described in division (A) of this section
does not apply to a foster caregiver if, in relation to the act or
omission in question, any of the following applies:
(1) The act or omission was manifestly outside the scope of
the foster caregiver's power, duty, responsibility, or
authorization.
(2) The act or omission was with malicious purpose, in bad
faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.
(3) Liability for the act or omission is expressly imposed by
a section of the Revised Code.
(C)(1) A foster caregiver shall use a reasonable and prudent
parent standard when considering whether to authorize a foster
child who resides in the foster home to participate in
extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities in accordance
with policies and procedures developed by the public children
services agency, private child placing agency, or private
noncustodial agency that has placed the child in the care of the
foster caregiver.
(2) A public children services agency, private child placing
agency, or private noncustodial agency that serves as the child's
custodian or as the supervising agency for the foster caregiver
shall be immune from liability in a civil action to recover
damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property that
result from a foster caregiver's or agency's decisions using a
reasonable and prudent parent standard in accordance with division
(C)(1) of this section.
(3) As used in this section, "reasonable and prudent parent
standard" means the standard characterized by careful and sensible
parental decisions that maintain the child's health, safety, and
best interests while at the same time encouraging the child's
emotional and developmental growth, that a caregiver or agency
shall use when determining whether to allow a child in the care of
a foster caregiver to participate in extracurricular, enrichment,
and social activities.
Section 2. That existing sections 2151.281, 2151.353,
2151.414, 2151.415, 2151.417, and 5103.162 of the Revised Code are
hereby repealed.
Section 3. Section 2151.281 of the Revised Code is presented
in this act as a composite of the section as amended by both Am.
Sub. S.B. 17 and Am. Sub. S.B. 238 of the 126th General Assembly.
The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division
(B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be
harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds
that the composite is the resulting version of the section in
effect prior to the effective date of the section as presented in
this act.
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