§ 3-819.1. Voluntary placement hearing

   (a) In general. -- Within 30 days after a voluntary placement petition is filed, the court shall hold a voluntary placement hearing and shall make findings as to:

   (1) Whether continuation of the placement is in the child's best interests; and

   (2) Whether reasonable efforts have been made to reunify the child with the family or place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the child's permanency plan.

(b) Disposition. -- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, in making a disposition on a voluntary placement petition under this section, the court shall:

   (1) Order the child's voluntary placement to be terminated and the child returned to the child's home and provided with available services and support needed for the child to remain in the home;

   (2) Order the child's voluntary placement to continue if the local department and the child's parent or guardian continue to agree to the voluntary placement;

   (3) Subject to the provisions of § 3-819(h), (i), and (j) of this subtitle, order an amendment to the voluntary placement agreement to address the needs of the child; or

   (4) If necessary to ensure the care, protection, safety, and mental and physical development of the child, order the local department to file a CINA petition.

(c) Disposition -- Voluntary placement petition for former CINA. -- In making a disposition on a voluntary placement petition for a former CINA, the court shall:

   (1) Order the former CINA's voluntary placement to continue and make any necessary orders to address the needs of the former CINA, if the local department and the former CINA continue to agree to the voluntary placement; or

   (2) (i) Order the former CINA's voluntary placement to be terminated; and

      (ii) Terminate the local department's placement and care responsibilities for the former CINA.

HISTORY: 2003, ch. 250; 2013, ch. 22, § 2.