FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES S.B. 1303:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1303 (as introduced 9-20-12)
Sponsor: Senator Tom Casperson
CONTENT
The bill would amend the juvenile code to provide that the Department of Human Services (DHS) would be permitted, but not required, to provide services to reunify a child with his or her parent, and the court could order the DHS to provide those services, in situations involving a parent who "is or will be imprisoned for 2 or more years".
The bill would apply to cases in which a child is under the jurisdiction of the family court pursuant to Section 2(b) of the juvenile code, i.e., a juvenile under 18 years of age whose home or environment is an unfit place for the juvenile to live, due to neglect, cruelty, drunkenness, criminality, or depravity on the part of a parent, guardian, nonparent adult, or other custodian. The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 694, which would amend Section 2(b) to give the court jurisdiction if a juvenile's home or environment "is or will be an unfit place" for the juvenile to live.
The code sets forth the procedures that the family court and the DHS must follow if a juvenile allegedly falls within the provisions of Section 2(b). After a preliminary hearing or inquiry, the court may authorize a petition to be filed and may release the juvenile to his or her parents, guardian, or custodian, and order a parent, guardian, custodian, nonparent adult, or other person living in the child's home to leave the home. If a petition alleges abuse by such a person, the court may not leave the child in or return the child to his or her home unless the court finds that the conditions are adequate to protect the child from the risk of harm.
If the court finds that a parent is required by court order to register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act, the DHS is permitted but not required to make reasonable efforts to reunify the child with the parent, and the court may order the Department to make reasonable efforts. Under Senate Bill 1303, these provisions also would apply if the court found that a parent currently was or would be imprisoned for two or more years.
Before the court enters an order of disposition in a proceeding under Section 2(b), the agency responsible for the child's care must prepare a case service plan. The plan must provide for placing the child in the most family-like setting available and in as close proximity to his or her parents' home as is consistent with the child's best interests and special needs.
The bill specifies that, if a court found that a parent was or would be imprisoned for two or more years, the DHS could, but would not be required to, provide services under the case service plan in an effort to reunify the child with the parent. The court could order the Department to provide reunification services.
The code requires the court to conduct a permanency planning hearing if a child remains in foster care and parental rights have not been terminated. The hearing must be conducted within 12 months after the child was removed from his or her home, and then at least every 12 months while foster care continues. If there is a judicial determination that reasonable efforts to reunify the child and family are not required, however, the court must conduct a permanency planning hearing within 30 days of that determination.
Reasonable efforts to reunify the child and family must be made in all cases unless any of the circumstances specified in the code apply. Under the bill, in addition to these circumstances, reunification would not be required if the parent were or would be imprisoned for two or more years.
MCL 712A.13a et al. Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
To the extent that parents face new prison sentences just before the reunification process, it is possible that the bill could have a slight yet indeterminate fiscal impact on the State foster care caseload or adoption subsidy payments, the costs of which are primarily paid with Federal funding. The bill would not affect reunification funding, which is a Federal capped funding source. The Department strives to find a permanent placement for a child who is in foster care within one year. The Department's policy manual also includes checks and provisions for parents with a criminal record.
The Children's Foster Care Policy Manual requires the Department to do a criminal history and background check through the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) system on all adult household members and nonparent adults for all cases in which a return home is being considered. Through an agreement with the Michigan State Police, the LEIN system gives the Department access to information such as:
State of Michigan criminal history information.
Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).
Sex Offender Registry.
Missing/wanted persons.
Prison and parole information.
Gun registration/permits.
Personal protection orders.
Officer cautions.
Michigan Secretary of State information.
National Crime Information Center - wants/warrants only from all states.
The reunification assessment has three steps: (1) assessment of compliance with the parenting time plan; (2) assessment of barrier and risk reduction; and (3) determination of the child's safety. According to Department policy, a child's safety is the primary factor in determining reunification, and "the existence or nonexistence of an arrest or criminal record is only one factor in assessing risk. The nonexistence of an arrest or criminal record is not necessarily an indication of low or no risk."
Fiscal Analyst: Frances Carley
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.