§ 3-823. Permanency plan for out-of-home placement

   (a) "Out-of-home placement" defined. -- In this section, "out-of-home placement" has the meaning stated in § 5-501 of the Family Law Article.

(b) Permanency planning hearing. --

   (1) The court shall hold a permanency planning hearing to determine the permanency plan for a child:

      (i) No later than 11 months after a child committed under § 3-819 of this subtitle or continued in a voluntary placement under § 3-819.1(b) of this subtitle enters an out-of-home placement; or

      (ii) Within 30 days after the court finds that reasonable efforts to reunify a child with the child's parent or guardian are not required based on a finding that a circumstance enumerated in § 3-812 of this subtitle has occurred.

   (2) For purposes of this section, a child shall be considered to have entered an out-of-home placement 30 days after the child is placed into an out-of-home placement.

   (3) If all parties agree, a permanency planning hearing may be held on the same day as the reasonable efforts hearing.

(c) Permanency planning hearing -- Requests for review. --

   (1) On the written request of a party or on its own motion, the court may schedule a hearing at any earlier time to determine a permanency plan or to review the implementation of a permanency plan for any child committed under § 3-819 of this subtitle.

   (2) A written request for review shall state the reason for the request and each issue to be raised.

(d) Distribution of permanency plan. -- At least 10 days before the permanency planning hearing, the local department shall provide all parties and the court with a copy of the local department's permanency plan for the child.

(e) Determinations to be made at hearing. --

   (1) At a permanency planning hearing, the court shall:

      (i) Determine the child's permanency plan, which, to the extent consistent with the best interests of the child, may be, in descending order of priority:

         1. Reunification with the parent or guardian;

         2. Placement with a relative for:

            A. Adoption; or

            B. Custody and guardianship under § 3-819.2 of this subtitle;

         3. Adoption by a nonrelative;

         4. Custody and guardianship by a nonrelative under § 3-819.2 of this subtitle; or

         5. Another planned permanent living arrangement that:

            A. Addresses the individualized needs of the child, including the child's educational plan, emotional stability, physical placement, and socialization needs; and

            B. Includes goals that promote the continuity of relations with individuals who will fill a lasting and significant role in the child's life; and

      (ii) For a child who has attained the age of 16 years, determine the services needed to assist the child to make the transition from placement to independent living.

   (2) In determining the child's permanency plan, the court shall consider the factors specified in § 5-525(f)(1) of the Family Law Article.

(f) Continuation of placement for a specified period. -- The court may not order a child to be continued in a placement under subsection (e)(1)(i)5 of this section unless the court finds that the person or agency to which the child is committed has documented a compelling reason for determining that it would not be in the best interest of the child to:

   (1) Return home;

   (2) Be referred for termination of parental rights; or

   (3) Be placed for adoption or guardianship with a specified and appropriate relative or legal guardian willing to care for the child.

(g) Placement for adoption. -- In the case of a child for whom the court determines that the plan should be changed to adoption under subsection (e)(1)(i)3 of this section, the court shall:

   (1) Order the local department to file a petition for guardianship in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Family Law Article within 30 days or, if the local department does not support the plan, within 60 days; and

   (2) Schedule a TPR hearing instead of the next 6-month review hearing.

(h) Periodic reviews. --

   (1) (i) Except as provided in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, the court shall conduct a hearing to review the permanency plan at least every 6 months until commitment is rescinded or a voluntary placement is terminated.

      (ii) The court shall conduct a review hearing every 12 months after the court determines that the child shall be continued in out-of-home placement with a specific caregiver who agrees to care for the child on a permanent basis.

      (iii) 1. Unless the court finds good cause, a case shall be terminated after the court grants custody and guardianship of the child to a relative or other individual.

         2. If the court finds good cause not to terminate a case, the court shall conduct a review hearing every 12 months until the case is terminated.

         3. The court may not conclude a review hearing under subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph unless the court has seen the child in person.

   (2) At the review hearing, the court shall:

      (i) Determine the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the commitment;

      (ii) Determine and document in its order whether reasonable efforts have been made to finalize the permanency plan that is in effect;

      (iii) Determine the extent of progress that has been made toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating commitment;

      (iv) Project a reasonable date by which a child in placement may be returned home, placed in a preadoptive home, or placed under a legal guardianship;

      (v) Evaluate the safety of the child and take necessary measures to protect the child; and

      (vi) Change the permanency plan if a change in the permanency plan would be in the child's best interest.

   (3) Every reasonable effort shall be made to effectuate a permanent placement for the child within 24 months after the date of initial placement.

(i) Written reports. -- At a review hearing under this section, the court shall consider any written report of a local out-of-home care review board required under § 5-545 of the Family Law Article.

(j) Annual consultation on record with child; use of video conferencing or related technology. --

   (1) At least every 12 months at a hearing under this section, the court shall consult on the record with the child in an age-appropriate manner to obtain the child's views on permanency.

   (2) (i) If, after a hearing or with the agreement of all parties, the court determines that the child is medically fragile and that it is detrimental to the child's physical or mental health to be transported to the courthouse, the court may, subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph:

         1. Visit the child at the child's placement and use appropriate technology to document the consultation for the record; or

         2. Use video conferencing to consult with the child on the record during the hearing.

      (ii) If the court visits the child at the child's placement under subparagraph (i)1 of this paragraph or uses video conferencing under subparagraph (i)2 of this paragraph, the court shall give each party notice and an opportunity to attend the visit or the video conferencing, unless the court determines that it is not in the best interest of the child for a party to attend the visit or the video conferencing.

   (3) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, if the child's placement is outside the State and, after a hearing or with the agreement of all parties, the court determines that it is not in the best interest of the child to be transported to the court, the court may use video conferencing to consult with the child on the record during the hearing.

HISTORY: 2001, ch. 415, § 3; 2002, ch. 399; 2003, chs. 49, 250; 2004, ch. 31; 2005, ch. 25, § 12, 13; ch. 404; ch. 464, § 3; ch. 504, § 2; chs. 507, 576; 2006, ch. 44; 2008, ch. 16; 2009, ch. 60, § 1, 5; 2010, ch. 655; 2012, ch. 169; 2013, ch. 37.