SB80 Alabama 2020 Session

Existing law requires juvenile courts and the Department of Human Resources to abide by certain requirements for placement and treatment of children in juvenile dependency cases

This bill would require the Department of Human Resources to conduct a diligent search when seeking a relative or other individual to be a caregiver for a child determined to be dependent by a juvenile court. A diligent search pursuant to this bill would include interviews with both the child and his or her relatives, as well as records searches and other targeted inquiries during court hearings pertaining to criminal history, financial status, employment status, and residential status

This bill would also require a juvenile court to find that in a situation where a child determined to be dependent has resided with a caregiver for at least 12 months prior to the determination of dependency, and where removal of the child from the home environment would be detrimental to the child's emotional well-being, continuation of the child's placement with his or her current caregiver or caregivers is in the child's best interests, and to make an order granting permanent custody to the caregiver or caregivers

Relating to juvenile dependency cases; to amend Section 12-15-314, Code of Alabama 1975; to require the Department of Human Resources to conduct a diligent search when seeking a relative or other individual to be a caregiver for a child determined to be dependent by a juvenile court; and to provide for orders of permanent custody to caregivers of dependent children under certain conditions.