Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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Jan 06, 2016 |
referred to children and families |
Apr 28, 2015 |
referred to children and families |
Senate Bill S5019
2015-2016 Legislative Session
Relates to permanency planning in juvenile delinquency and persons in need of supervision proceedings
download bill text pdfSponsored By
(D) 22nd Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Children And Families Committee
- Introduced
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- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
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- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
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- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
2015-S5019 (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A7050
- Current Committee:
- Senate Children And Families
- Law Section:
- Family Court Act
- Laws Affected:
- Amd ยงยง312.1, 320.2, 353.3, 355.5, 736, 741, 756 & 756-a, Fam Ct Act
- Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:
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2011-2012:
S7591, A10348
2013-2014: S4083, A2601
2015-S5019 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S5019 REVISED MEMO 03/09/2016 TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the family court act, in relation to permanency planning in juvenile delinquency and persons in need of supervision proceedings in family court This is one in a series of measures being introduced at the request of the Chief Administrative Judge upon the recommendation of his Family Court and Rules Advisory Committee. When the Legislature enacted chapter 3 of the Laws of 2005, the landmark child welfare permanency legislation, it deferred consideration of the significant constellation of issues relating to permanency planning and permanency hearings regarding juvenile delinquents (JDs) and Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS). These issues, however, are critically important and should be addressed comprehensively. The permanency hearing provisions, including those regarding planning for return of the youth from out-of-home care, are vital for the successful resolution of these cases for the youth, their families and their communities. Not only are they essential for the Judiciary's ability to fulfill its mandates under the Federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (Public Law 10589), but the recent enactment of the Federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (Public Law 113-183) has rendered the need to incorporate these features into the statutes pertaining to JDs and PINS even more compelling. As the Family Court, Queens County, has observed,
permanency hearings in JD and PINS proceedings "serve the same purpose" as those in child abuse and neglect cases. See In the Matter of Mario S., 38 Misc. 3d 444 (Fam. Ct., Qns. Co., 2 012). If Family Court is to exercise its critical monitoring functions and convene meaningful permanency hearings in JD and PINS proceedings, it must have the benefit of at least the same information that is required to be presented in child welfare proceedings. The Court must make determinations of specificity at least comparable to those in child welfare proceedings and the parties must have the benefit of continuity of legal representation. None of the applicable Federal statutes makes any distinction between juvenile justice and child welfare proceedings for those states, including New York, that receive significant Federal foster care funding under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act for placements of JDs and status offenders. To that end, this measure would incorporate essential elements of the child welfare permanency hearing article of the Family Court Act (Article 10-A) into the permanency hearing provisions of Articles 3 and 7 of the Act. It would provide greater specificity regarding the services that must be provided for youth and would expand the alternatives available to the Court both in dispositional and permanency hearings in JD and PINS cases. Briefly, this measure contains the following provisions: 1. Notices to non-custodial parents: To ensure that all possible resources are engaged in the resolution of JD and PINS proceedings, the measure would require that non-custodial parents, if any, be given notices of their children's cases in Family Court to enable them to appear. This supplements the existing requirement that a summons be issued for an accused juvenile's parent or other person legally responsible. The local probation department that generally interviews parties at the outset for adjustment purposes, as well as the presentment agency (prosecution), would be charged with asking the custodial parent for the necessary contact information for parents other than those already notified. In JD cases, the presentment agency must send the notice, along with a copy of the petition, to the non-custodial parent or parents at least five days before the appearance date. In PINS cases, where there is most often no presentment agency, Family Court would be charged with sending the notice. Consistent with Family Court Act ยงยง 341.2(3) and 741(c), however, the absence of the parent who was sent the notice to appear in court would not be grounds to delay the proceedings. As in child abuse, child neglect and PINS proceedings, so, too, in JD proceedings the child's non-custodial parent may be a critical participant in the dispositional process. Sometimes a non-custodial parent or his or her extended family may provide vitally-needed placement resources for a child, both temporarily during the pendency of the action and on a more extended basis at disposition. These family members may at the very least provide helpful participation that may positively influence the child's behavior. However, unlike the statutory provisions applicable to child protective and PINS proceedings, the Family Court Act contains no mandate to even notify non-custodial parents of, let alone engage them in resolving, their children's JD proceedings. This measure would fill that gap. 2. Continuity of counsel: This measure provides necessary continuity in representation by attorneys for juveniles in both JD and PINS cases. Similar to the requirement in Family Court Act ยง 1016 for appointment of the attorney for the child in a child protective proceeding to continue during the life of a dispositional or postdispositional order, Family Court Act ยงยง 320.2(2) and 741(a) would be amended to continue the appointment of the child's attorney in JD and PINS proceedings for the entire period of a dispositional order, an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal and any extensions of permanency hearings, violation hearings or other post-dispositional proceedings. As in child protective cases, the appointment would automatically continue unless Family Court relieves the attorney or grants his or her application to be relieved, in which case the Court must appoint another attorney immediately. While the current practice of the attorney submitting a voucher for payment at the close of a proceeding would continue, the attorney would be able, as in child protective proceedings, to submit a separate application for compensation for post-dispositional services rendered. One of the central precepts underlying the Family Court Act is the necessity of representation for juveniles at every stage of the proceedings, a precept "based on a finding that counsel is often indispensable to a practical realization of due process of law and may be helpful in making reasoned determinations of fact and proper orders of disposition." Family Court Act ยง 241. The Act recognizes that juveniles "often require the assistance of counsel to help protect their interests and to help them express their wishes to the court." Id. Both the JD and PINS statutes explicitly require appointment of an attorney for the youth at the outset of proceedings, require the attorney's personal appearance at every hearing and provide for the continuation of the appointment on appeal. See Family Court Act ยงยง 307.4(2), 320.2(2), 320.3, 341.2(1), 728(a), 741(a), 1120(b). What is less clear, however, is whether the appointment of the attorney, absent an appeal, continues after the disposition of a JD or PINS proceeding. This measure eliminates that ambiguity. Representation of juveniles in such cases after disposition in case conferences and subsequent reviews is critically important to efforts to ensure that effective permanency planning takes place. In the JD and PINS context, this representation may significantly further the goal of ensuring that services are in place to facilitate a juvenile's successful reintegration into his or her community. 3. Permanency planning: Where the dispositional order places the juvenile with a county Department of Social Services or, in the case of JDs, with the State Office of Children and Family Services, the dispositional order must contain or have annexed the same elements as child protective placement orders, including a description of the family visitation plan, the service plan if available (or if not yet available, then within 60 days of the disposition) and a directive that notice be given to the parents of any planning conferences. As in the child welfare permanency legislation, the measure would require Family Court to consider the services necessary to assist juveniles 14 and older, instead of 16 and older, to make the transition from foster care to independent living in JD and PINS cases. See Family Court Act ยง 1089(d)(2)(vii)(G). Further, as in the permanency statute, for those juveniles who are neither returning home nor achieving permanence through adoption, the measure would require that if the permanency planning goal is "another planned permanent living arrangement," it must include "a significant connection to an adult willing to be a permanency resource for the child." See Family Court Act ยง 1089(d)(2)(i)(E). Significantly, the new Federal Law, Public Law 113-183, requires placement agencies to document - and the courts to monitor - the provision of age and developmentally appropriate services to youth using a "reasonable and prudent parent" standard, requires youth 14 and older to be integrally involved in planning for their futures and precludes the permanency goal of "another planned permanent living arrangement" for any youth under the age of 16. Id. at Subtitle B, ยงยง 11-113. Unquestionably, these features of the permanency legislation, most specifically addressing the needs of adolescents in out-of-home care, are equally essential for the adolescents who comprise the JD and PINS caseloads of Family Courts statewide. Planning for the juveniles' release to their families, the predominant permanency goal in JD and PINS cases, must begin early and, where their families will not be a resource, identification of a suitable permanency resource is critically important. As recent reports regarding New York's placement system point out, youth exiting out-of-home care are especially vulnerable and have significant needs that must be met if they are to make a successful adjustment to the community. 4. Educational and vocational release planning in JD and PINS proceedings: Any finding that reasonable efforts, as required by both Federal and State law, have been made to further the permanency goals of JDs and PINS must include advance efforts to ensure their prompt enrollment in a school or vocational program upon release from out-of-home care. This measure thus amends both the JD and PINS statutes to require agencies in which youth are placed to notify the school districts in which those youth will be attending school upon release not less than 14 days in advance of their release, to promptly transfer records to the school districts and to try to coordinate release dates with school terms so as to minimize disruption to the youths' educational programs. The measure further requires that local school districts enroll youth exiting placement in school within five business days of their release. Consistent with the school stability provisions of the Federal Fostering Connections to Success and Adoption Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351), school authorities would also be required to ensure that, where appropriate, students may remain in the schools they attended prior to their placement or remand into foster care. All of these provisions further the goals embodied in and are consistent with the Guiding Principles for Providing High-Quality Education in Juvenile Justice Secure Care Settings jointly issued by the United States Department of Education and Department of Justice in December, 2014. The cover letter, from the Attorney General and Secretary of Education that accompanied the Guiding Principles, dated December 8, 2014, stated that: For youth who are confined in juvenile justice facilities, providing high-quality correctional education that is comparable to offerings in traditional public schools is one of the most powerful - and cost-effective levers we have to ensure that youth are successful once released and are able to avoid future contact with the justice system. High-quality correctional education, training, and treatment are essential components of meaningful rehabilitation because these equip youth with the skills needed to successfully reenter their communities and either continue their education or join the workforce. While referring to secure settings, the document notes that "the principles and core activities should also inform the services provided to any youths so displaced, regardless of where they are located or for how long." Id. at 2. The Guidelines stress the need for timely and comprehensive reentry planning, transfers of school records to ensure expeditious reenrollment and full compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). See also, Letter from the Attorney General and Secretary of Education, dated December 5, 2014, regarding IDEA requirements. It is most ironic that PINS, many if not most of whom had been adjudicated for truancy or other school difficulties, are the only category of juveniles before the Family Court who do not have specific statutory rights to school and vocational release planning. Therefore, this measure conforms the PINS statute to the JD school and vocational release mandates of chapter 181 of the Laws of 2000 and to chapter 3 of the Laws of 2005, which added identical provisions for children in foster care. The measure requires the agency with which a PINS is placed - the local Department of Social Services or an authorized child care agency operating under contract - to engage in constructive planning for the child's release, including arranging appropriate educational and/or vocational programs, and to report to the Family Court and to the parties on such efforts. Where an extension of placement is not being sought, the measure requires a report regarding the child's release plan 30 days prior to conclusion of the placement period. Where the agency is requesting an extension of placement and permanency hearing, the report must be annexed to the petition, which must be filed 60 days prior to the date on which the permanency hearing must be held. The release plan mandated in the report must delineate the steps that the agency has taken or will be taking to ensure that the PINS would be enrolled in school promptly after release, that records would be promptly transferred and that special education services, if any, would continue until such time as the new local education agency develops and implements a new Individual Education Plan, as necessary. As in JD and foster care cases, for a PINS not subject to the State compulsory education law who affirmatively elects not to continue in school, the agency must describe steps taken or planned to promptly ensure the juvenile's gainful employment or enrollment in a vocational program. In an extension of placement/ permanency hearing, this release plan would be reviewed by Family Court in conjunction with its review of the permanency plan and the Court's order would include a determination of the adequacy of the release plan and would specify any necessary modifications. Recognizing that, of all children in out-of-home care, PINS children are among the most likely to have serious educational deficits and needs, these provisions would help to ameliorate the serious, pervasive deficiencies in agency referrals of youth to school and vocational programs upon release from foster care.* The importance of increasing efforts to ensure that both JDs and PINS are able to stay in, re-enroll in and succeed in school cannot be overstated. High school drop-outs are 3-1/2 times as likely to be arrested as high school graduates and more than eight times more likely to be incarcerated in jails or prisons. Even a 10% increase in graduation rates has been estimated to prevent approximately 180 murders and 9,000 aggravated assaults in New York annually.** 5. Placement and permanency hearing orders: The Federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (Public Law 105-89), the Fostering Connections to Success and Adoption Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351) and, most recently, the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (Public law 113-183) significantly augment Family Court's responsibilities to monitor and shape the placements of youth in out-of-home care, including JDs, since the State receives Federal foster care reimbursement under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act for such youth when they are originally placed in or are "stepped down to" non-secure facilities housing 25 children or fewer or to foster homes. Thus, this measure requires permanency hearings for juveniles placed with local Departments of Social Services and with the State Office of Children and Family Services for limited secure and non-secure facilities. Although the State does not receive Federal Title IV-E foster care reimbursement for youth in limited secure facilities, these youth may well, during the course of placement, be transferred into IV-E- eligible non-secure facilities. Convening permanency hearings for such youth greatly facilitates the planning process and assures compliance with the Federally-required time-limits applicable once the youth are transferred. Such hearings are already generally the practice statewide, thus imposing no new burdens upon OCFS, but should be made uniform through a statutory requirement. See, e.g., Matter of Donovan Z., 6 Misc.3d 1023(A) (Fam. Ct., Monroe Co., 2005)(Unreported opinion). Further, as in the child welfare permanency legislation, this measure requires that permanency hearing orders in JD and PINS proceedings include: a description of the visiting plan between the juvenile and his or her parent or legally-responsible adult; a service plan designed to fulfill the permanency goal for the juvenile,*** a direction that the parent or other person legally responsible be notified of, and be invited to be present at, any planning conferences convened by the placement agency with respect to the child; and a warning that if the juvenile remains in placement for 15 out of 22 months, the agency may be required to file a petition to terminate parental rights. A copy of the court order and service plan must be provided to the juvenile, his or her attorney and the juvenile's parent or other legally responsible individual. Cf., Family Court Act ยงยง 1089(d)(2)(vii)(A), 1089(e). State and Federal law and regulations are unequivocal in their requirements that JD and PINS cases conform to the Federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (" ASFA," Public Law 105-89). The reauthorization of the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (Public Law 107-273) in 2002 made compliance with ASFA a requirement, not only for New York State to receive Federal foster care assistance pursuant to Title IV-E of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.), but also for eligibility for Federal juvenile justice funding from the Department of Justice. Enactment of amendments in 2000 to State legislation implementing the Federal ASFA underscored the Legislature's recognition that the reasonable efforts, permanency planning and permanency hearing requirements of ASFA are fully applicable to JD and PINS proceedings in Family Court and are critical aspects of the State's compliance with Federal foster care (Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Title IV-E) funding mandates. See L. 2000, c. 145; Senate Memorandum in Support of S 7892-a.**** That these amendments were compelled by Federal law is evident from the regulations promulgated on January 25, 2000 by the Children's Bureau of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 45 C.F.R. Parts 1355-1357; 65 Fed.Reg. 4019-4093 (Jan. 25, 2000). This measure is vital to address the current conundrum faced by Family Court: it is charged with the responsibility to conduct permanency hearings, monitor permanency planning and issue fact-specific permanency orders in JD and PINS proceedings, but it is not given the information or authority it requires to discharge that responsibility. If Family Court and all parties are provided with specific service plans, if needed services are ordered, if representation by the juveniles' attorneys is continued without interruption and if the agencies' responsibilities to work with, and provide appropriate visitation to, the juveniles' parents and other legally responsible adults are clearly articulated, the likelihood of successful permanency planning is significantly increased. This would benefit not only the State in its efforts to demonstrate compliance with ASFA, but also the juveniles, their families and the communities to which the juveniles return. In Matter of Robin G., 20 Misc.3d 328 (Fam. Ct., Queens Co., 2008), for instance, at a combined permanency/extension of placement hearing, the Family Court made a finding of no reasonable efforts against OCFS since neither it, nor the authorized agency having custody of the juvenile, made reasonable efforts to facilitate the juvenile's return to her mother's home; no services or counseling were provided to the mother, who was not involved in the child's transition planning, and no plan was in place to ensure that the child's mental health needs would be met upon her release. Concomitantly, Matter of Donovan Z., 6 Misc.3d 1023(A) (Fam. Ct., Monroe Co., 2005)(Unreported opinion) provides a more positive example of a case where, at a combined permanency/extension of placement hearing, Family Court was able to ascertain that both the juvenile's and his mother's needs to facilitate his ultimate release home were being met by OCFS. The importance of these provisions is underscored as well in the nationally recognized guidelines approved by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.***** As one child welfare expert has written:****** If ASFA and Title IV-E are applied properly, consistently and with a view toward reunification, rehabilitation and safe permanent homes for the children involved, the results can be extraordinary. One outcome - collaboration among courts, agencies, and lawyers - can result in fewer delinquency, status offender, and dependency (child abuse and neglect) cases; more youths and families involved with one another and their communities; and fewer future adult crimes. Collaboration also is efficient under a cost-benefit analysis since it provides extra funding for juvenile justice initiatives and preventive services. ASFA and Title IV-E can be important tools to reform the juvenile justice field. They can provide juvenile justice agencies with added means to control and oversee youths, work preventively with families at risk, and get community involvement and "buy-in." This measure, which would have no fiscal impact on the State, would take effect 90 days after it shall have become a law. 2012 Legislative History:Senate 7591 (Rules) (ref to Rules) Assembly 10348 (M. of A. Paulin) (Passed) 2013-14 Legislative History:Senate 4083 (Sen. Felder) (ref to Children and Families) 2015-16 Legislative History:Assembly 2601 (M. of A. Paulin) (Passed) Senate 5019 (Sen. Felder) (ref to Children and Families) Assembly 7050 (M. of A. Paulin) (Passed in 2015; ordered to 3rd Rdg., Cal. 264 in 2016) * Educational Neglect: The Delivery of Educational Services to Children in New York City's Foster Care System (Advocates for Children of New York, July, 2000); Changing the PINS System in New York: A Study of the Implications of Raising the Age Limit for Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), p. 34 (Vera Inst., Sept., 2001); Changing the Status Quo for Status Offenders: New York State's Efforts to Support Troubled Teens (Vera Inst., Dec., 2004). **See Fight Crime, Invest in Kids, Getting Juvenile Justice Right in New York: Proven Interventions Will Cut Crime and Save Money (2007) at pages 4,6. ***If a service plan has not been prepared by the date of disposition, it must be disseminated to the Family Court, presentment agency, child's attorney and parent or person legally responsible for the child's care within 60 days of the issuance of the dispositional order. **** The 2000 amendments require case-specifie, rather than categorical, exclusions of JD and PINS proceedings from the mandate to file termination of parental rights proceedings for juveniles who have been in care for 15 of the most recent 22 months. Particularized findings must be made at the earliest pre-trial detention hearings regarding whether reasonable efforts had been made to prevent detention or facilitate return home and whether detention is in the child's best interests. Significantly, the amendments clarify that permanency hearings must be held in JD proceedings within 30 days of a finding that reasonable efforts are not required or, if no such finding has been made, no later than 12 months after the child entered foster care and every 12 months thereafter. Id. McKinney's 2000 Session L. New York, C. 145. *****Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Juvenile Delinquency Cases (National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, March, 2005). ******V. Hemrich, "Applying ASFA to Delinquency and Status Offender Cases," 18 ABA Child Law Practice 9:129, 134 Nov., 1999).
2015-S5019 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 5019 2015-2016 Regular Sessions I N S E N A T E April 28, 2015 ___________ Introduced by Sen. FELDER -- (at request of the Office of Court Adminis- tration) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and Families AN ACT to amend the family court act, in relation to permanency planning in juvenile delinquency and persons in need of supervision proceedings in family court THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Section 312.1 of the family court act is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows: 4. UPON THE FILING OF A PETITION UNDER THIS ARTICLE, THE PRESENTMENT AGENCY SHALL NOTIFY ANY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS OF THE RESPONDENT WHO HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED A SUMMONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, PROVIDED THAT THE ADDRESSES OF ANY SUCH PARENTS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED. THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND PRESENTMENT AGENCY SHALL ASK THE CUSTODIAL PARENT OR PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING ANY OTHER PARENT OR PARENTS OF THE RESPONDENT. THE NOTICE SHALL INFORM THE PARENT OR PARENTS OF THE RIGHT TO APPEAR AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCEEDING AND TO SEEK TEMPORARY RELEASE OR, UPON DISPOSITION, DIRECT PLACEMENT OF THE RESPONDENT. THE PRESENTMENT AGENCY SHALL SEND THE NOTICE TO THE NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT AT LEAST FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE RETURN DATE. THE FAILURE OF A PARENT ENTITLED TO NOTICE TO APPEAR SHALL NOT BE CAUSE FOR DELAY OF THE RESPONDENT'S INITIAL APPEARANCE, AS DEFINED BY SECTION 320.1 OF THIS ARTICLE. S 2. Subdivision 2 of section 320.2 of the family court act, as amended by chapter 41 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows: 2. At the initial appearance the court must appoint an attorney to represent the respondent pursuant to the provisions of section two hundred forty-nine OF THIS ACT if independent legal representation is not available to such respondent. WHENEVER AN ATTORNEY HAS BEEN EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD09807-03-5
S. 5019 2 APPOINTED BY THE FAMILY COURT TO REPRESENT A CHILD IN A PROCEEDING UNDER THIS ARTICLE, SUCH APPOINTMENT SHALL CONTINUE WITHOUT FURTHER COURT ORDER OR APPOINTMENT DURING THE PERIOD COVERED BY ANY ORDER OF DISPOSI- TION ISSUED BY THE COURT, AN ADJOURNMENT IN CONTEMPLATION OF DISMISSAL, OR ANY EXTENSION OR VIOLATION THEREOF, OR DURING ANY PERMANENCY HEARING, OTHER POST-DISPOSITIONAL PROCEEDING OR APPEAL. ALL NOTICES AND REPORTS REQUIRED BY LAW SHALL BE PROVIDED TO SUCH ATTORNEY. SUCH APPOINTMENT SHALL CONTINUE UNLESS ANOTHER APPOINTMENT OF AN ATTORNEY HAS BEEN MADE BY THE COURT OR UNLESS SUCH ATTORNEY MAKES APPLICATION TO THE COURT TO BE RELIEVED OF HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT. UPON APPROVAL OF SUCH APPLICATION TO BE RELIEVED, THE COURT SHALL IMMEDIATELY APPOINT ANOTHER ATTORNEY TO WHOM ALL NOTICES AND REPORTS REQUIRED BY LAW SHALL BE PROVIDED. THE ATTORNEY FOR THE RESPONDENT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF LAW FOR SERVICES RENDERED UP TO AND INCLUD- ING DISPOSITION OF THE PETITION. THE ATTORNEY SHALL, BY SEPARATE APPLI- CATION, BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED AFTER THE DISPOSITION OF THE PETITION. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE AUTHORITY OF THE COURT TO REMOVE AN ATTORNEY FROM HIS OR HER ASSIGNMENT. S 3. Section 353.3 of the family court act is amended by adding a new subdivision 4-a to read as follows: 4-A. (A) WHERE THE RESPONDENT IS PLACED WITH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES OR THE COMMISSIONER OF THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION TWO, THREE OR FOUR OF THIS SECTION, THE DISPOSITIONAL ORDER OR AN ATTACHMENT TO THE ORDER INCORPORATED BY REFER- ENCE INTO THE ORDER SHALL INCLUDE: (I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN TO FACILITATE VISITATION BETWEEN THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER FAMILY; (II) A SERVICE PLAN, IF AVAILABLE. IF THE SERVICE PLAN HAS NOT YET BEEN DEVELOPED, THEN THE SERVICE PLAN MUST BE FILED WITH THE COURT AND DELIVERED TO THE PRESENTMENT AGENCY, ATTORNEY FOR THE RESPONDENT AND PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THE RESPONDENT NO LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS FROM THE DATE THE DISPO- SITION WAS MADE; AND (III) A DIRECTION THAT THE PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESPONDENT SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY PLANNING CONFERENCES TO BE HELD PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINE-E OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, OF THEIR RIGHT TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCES, AND OF THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE COUNSEL OR ANOTHER REPRESEN- TATIVE OR COMPANION WITH THEM. (B) A COPY OF THE COURT'S ORDER AND ATTACHMENTS SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THE RESPONDENT. THE ORDER SHALL ALSO CONTAIN A NOTICE THAT IF THE RESPONDENT REMAINS IN PLACEMENT FOR FIFTEEN OF THE MOST RECENT TWEN- TY-TWO MONTHS, THE AGENCY WITH WHICH THE CHILD IS PLACED MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE THE PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PARENT OR PARENTS OF THE RESPONDENT. S 4. Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subdivision 7 of section 353.3 of the family court act, paragraphs (a) and (b) as amended by section 6 of part G of chapter 58 of the laws of 2010, and paragraph (c) as amended by section 16 of part L of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015, are amended to read as follows: (a) Where the respondent is placed pursuant to subdivision two [or], three OR FOUR of this section and where the agency is not seeking an extension of the placement pursuant to section 355.3 of this part, such S. 5019 3 report shall be submitted not later than thirty days prior to the conclusion of the placement. (b) Where the respondent is placed pursuant to subdivision two [or], three OR FOUR of this section and where the agency is seeking an exten- sion of the placement pursuant to section 355.3 of this part and a permanency hearing pursuant to section 355.5 of this part, such report shall be submitted not later than sixty days prior to the date on which the permanency hearing must be held and shall be annexed to the petition for a permanency hearing and extension of placement. (c) Where the respondent is placed pursuant to subdivision two [or], three OR FOUR of this section, such report shall contain a plan for the release, or conditional release (pursuant to section five hundred ten-a of the executive law), of the respondent to the custody of his or her parent or other person legally responsible, or to another permanency alternative as provided in paragraph (d) of subdivision seven of section 355.5 of this part. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, "PLACEMENT AGENCY" SHALL REFER TO THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE COMMIS- SIONER OF THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT OR THE AUTHORIZED AGENCY UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES OR COMMISSIONER OF THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT WITH WHOM THE RESPONDENT HAS BEEN PLACED. THE RELEASE OR CONDITIONAL RELEASE PLAN SHALL PROVIDE AS FOLLOWS: (I) If the respondent is subject to article sixty-five of the educa- tion law or elects to participate in an educational program leading to a high school diploma, such plan shall include, but not be limited to, the steps that the agency with which the respondent is placed has taken and will be taking IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY to [facil- itate] ENSURE the IMMEDIATE enrollment of the respondent in [a] AN APPROPRIATE school or educational program leading to a high school diploma [following] WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF release, or, if such release occurs during the summer recess, IMMEDIATELY upon the commencement of the next school term. THE PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL ASCERTAIN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SHALL, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO THAT THE TIMING OF RESPONDENT'S RELEASE FROM THE PROGRAM AND ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL ARE MINIMALLY DISRUPTIVE FOR THE RESPONDENT AND FURTHER HIS OR HER BEST INTERESTS. NOT LESS THAN FOURTEEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE RESPONDENT'S RELEASE, THE PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL NOTIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE RESPONDENT WILL BE ATTENDING SCHOOL AND TRANSFER ALL NECESSARY RECORDS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RESPONDENT'S COURSE OF STUDY, CREDITS EARNED AND ACADEMIC RECORD. (II) IF THE PLACEMENT AGENCY HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE RESPONDENT MAY HAVE A DISABILITY OR IF THE RESPONDENT HAD BEEN FOUND ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES PRIOR TO OR DURING THE PLACEMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, SUCH PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE STEPS THAT THE PLACEMENT AGEN- CY HAS TAKEN AND WILL BE TAKING TO ENSURE THAT THE LOCAL EDUCATION AGEN- CY MAKES ANY NECESSARY REFERRALS OR ARRANGES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS OR SERVICES, AS APPROPRIATE, AND PROVIDES NECESSARY RECORDS IMMEDIATELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. (III) If the respondent is not subject to article sixty-five of the education law and does not elect to participate in an educational program leading to a high school diploma, such plan shall include, but not be limited to, the steps that the agency with which the respondent is placed has taken and will be taking to assist the respondent to S. 5019 4 become gainfully employed or enrolled in a vocational program following release. S 5. The opening paragraph of subdivision 2, the opening paragraph of subdivision 3, subdivision 5, subdivision 6 and paragraph (d) of subdi- vision 7 of section 355.5 of the family court act, the opening paragraph of subdivision 2 and the opening paragraph of subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 145 of the laws of 2000, subdivision 5 as added by chapter 7 of the laws of 1999, subdivision 6 as amended by section 1 of part B of chapter 327 of the laws of 2007, and paragraph (d) of subdivision 7 as amended by section 18 of part L of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015, are amended and a new subdivision 10 is added to read as follows: Where a respondent is placed with a commissioner of social services or the office of children and family services pursuant to SUBDIVISION TWO, THREE OR FOUR OF section 353.3 of this [article] PART for a period of twelve or fewer months and resides in a foster home or IN A non-secure OR LIMITED SECURE facility[;]: Where a respondent is placed with a commissioner of social services or the office of children and family services pursuant to SUBDIVISION TWO, THREE OR FOUR OF section 353.3 of this [article] PART for a period in excess of twelve months and resides in a foster home or in a non-secure OR LIMITED SECURE facility[;]: 5. A petition for an initial or subsequent permanency hearing shall be filed by the office of children and family services or by the commis- sioner of social services with whom the respondent was placed. Such petition shall be filed no later than sixty days prior to the end of the month in which an initial or subsequent permanency hearing must be held, as directed in subdivision two of this section. THE PETITION SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PERMANENCY REPORT THAT CONFORMS TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION (C) OF SECTION ONE THOUSAND EIGHTY-NINE OF THIS ACT. 6. THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER ATTORNEY SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF THE HEARING AND OF THE RESPONDENT'S RIGHT TO BE HEARD AND A COPY OF THE PERMANENCY PETITION AND ACCOMPANYING REPORT FILED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE SERVED ON THE RESPONDENT'S ATTORNEY. The foster parent caring for the respondent or any pre-adop- tive parent or relative providing care for the respondent, AS WELL AS PARENTS OF SIBLINGS OF THE RESPONDENT, shall be provided with notice of any permanency hearing held pursuant to this section by the office of children and family services or the LOCAL commissioner of social services with whom the respondent was placed. Such foster parent, pre-a- doptive parent and relative shall have the right to be heard at any such hearing; provided, however, no such foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative shall be construed to be a party to the hearing solely on the basis of such notice and right to be heard. The failure of the foster parent, pre-adoptive parent, or relative caring for the [child] RESPONDENT to appear at a permanency hearing shall constitute a waiver of the right to be heard and such failure to appear shall not cause a delay of the permanency hearing nor shall such failure to appear be a ground for the invalidation of any order issued by the court pursuant to this section. (d) with regard to the completion of placement ordered by the court pursuant to section 353.3 or 355.3 of this part: whether and when the respondent: (i) will be returned to the parent OR PARENTS; (ii) should be placed for adoption with the local commissioner of social services filing a petition for termination of parental rights; (iii) should be referred for legal guardianship; (iv) should be placed permanently with a fit and willing relative; or (v) should be placed in another planned S. 5019 5 permanent living arrangement with a significant connection to an adult willing to be a permanency resource for the respondent if the respondent is age sixteen or older and (A) the office of children and family services or the local commissioner of social services has documented to the court: (1) the intensive, ongoing, and, as of the date of the hear- ing, unsuccessful efforts made to return the respondent home or secure a placement for the respondent with a fit and willing relative including adult siblings, a legal guardian, or an adoptive parent, including through efforts that utilize search technology including social media to find biological family members for children, (2) the steps being taken to ensure that (I) the respondent's foster family home or child care facility is following the reasonable and prudent parent standard in accordance with guidance provided by the United States department of health and human services, and (II) the respondent has regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities including by consulting with the respondent in an age-appropriate manner about the opportunities of the respondent to participate in activities; and (B) the office of children and family services or the local commis- sioner of social services has documented to the court and the court has determined that there are compelling reasons for determining that it continues to not be in the best interest of the respondent to return home, be referred for termination of parental rights and placed for adoption, placed with a fit and willing relative, or placed with a legal guardian; and (C) the court has made a determination explaining why, as of the date of this hearing, another planned living arrangement with a significant connection to an adult willing to be a permanency resource for the respondent is the best permanency plan for the respondent; and 10. (A) IF THE ORDER RESULTING FROM THE PERMANENCY HEARING EXTENDS THE RESPONDENT'S PLACEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 355.3 OF THIS PART IN A FOSTER HOME OR NON-SECURE OR LIMITED SECURE FACILITY OR IF THE RESPOND- ENT CONTINUES IN SUCH PLACEMENT UNDER A PRIOR ORDER OF PLACEMENT OR AN EXTENSION THEREOF, THE ORDER OR AN ATTACHMENT TO THE ORDER INCORPORATED INTO THE ORDER BY REFERENCE SHALL INCLUDE: (I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN TO FACILITATE VISITATION BETWEEN THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER FAMILY; (II) A SERVICE PLAN AIMED AT EFFECTUATING THE PERMANENCY GOAL; AND (III) A DIRECTION THAT THE PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESPONDENT SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY PLANNING CONFERENCES, INCLUDING THOSE HELD PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINE-E OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, OF THEIR RIGHT TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCES, AND THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE COUNSEL OR ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE OR COMPANION WITH THEM AND, FURTHER, THAT THE RESPONDENT, IF FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, BE INVOLVED IN THE DEVEL- OPMENT OF PLANS AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW. (B) WHERE THE COURT DETERMINES THAT REASONABLE EFFORTS IN THE FORM OF SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE TO THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER FAMILY WOULD FURTHER THE RESPONDENT'S NEEDS AND BEST INTERESTS AND THE NEED FOR PROTECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE RESPOND- ENT TO SAFELY RETURN HOME OR TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING, THE COURT MAY INCLUDE IN ITS ORDER A DIRECTION FOR A LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH OR PROBATION OFFICIAL OR AN OFFICIAL OF THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES OR OFFICE OF METAL HEALTH, AS APPLICABLE, TO PROVIDE OR ARRANGE FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE TO THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER FAMILY. SUCH ORDER REGARDING A LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICIAL SHALL NOT INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF ANY SERVICE OR ASSISTANCE TO THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER FAMILY THAT IS S. 5019 6 NOT AUTHORIZED OR REQUIRED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO THE COUNTY CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES PLAN THEN IN EFFECT. IN ANY ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE COURT MAY REQUIRE THE OFFICIAL TO MAKE PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS TO THE COURT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH ORDER. VIOLATION OF SUCH ORDER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO PUNISHMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF THE JUDICIARY LAW. (C) A COPY OF THE COURT'S ORDER AND THE ATTACHMENTS SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER ATTORNEY AND TO THE RESPONDENT'S PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESPOND- ENT. THE ORDER SHALL ALSO CONTAIN A NOTICE THAT IF THE RESPONDENT REMAINS IN FOSTER CARE FOR FIFTEEN OF THE MOST RECENT TWENTY-TWO MONTHS, THE AGENCY WITH WHICH THE RESPONDENT IS PLACED MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE THE PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PARENT OR PARENTS OF THE RESPONDENT. S 6. Section 736 of the family court act is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows: (4) IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THIS ARTICLE, THE COURT SHALL CAUSE A COPY OF THE PETITION AND NOTICE OF THE TIME AND PLACE TO BE HEARD TO BE SERVED UPON ANY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT OF THE RESPONDENT, PROVIDED THAT THE ADDRESS OF SUCH PARENT IS KNOWN TO OR IS ASCERTAINABLE BY THE COURT. SERVICE SHALL BE MADE BY ORDINARY FIRST CLASS MAIL AT SUCH PARENT'S LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE OF SUCH PARENT TO APPEAR SHALL NOT BE CAUSE FOR DELAY OF THE PROCEEDINGS. S 7. Subdivision (a) of section 741 of the family court act, as amended by chapter 41 of the laws of 2010, is amended and a new subdivi- sion (d) is added to read as follows: (a) At the initial appearance of a respondent in a proceeding and at the commencement of any hearing under this article, the respondent and his or her parent or other person legally responsible for his or her care shall be advised of the respondent's right to remain silent and of the respondent's right to be represented by counsel chosen by him or her or his or her parent or other person legally responsible for his or her care, or by an attorney assigned by the court under part four of article two OF THIS ACT. [Provided, however, that in] IN the event of the fail- ure of the respondent's parent or other person legally responsible for his or her care to appear, after reasonable and substantial effort has been made to notify such parent or responsible person of the commence- ment of the proceeding and such initial appearance, the court shall appoint an attorney for the respondent and shall, unless inappropriate, also appoint a guardian ad litem for such respondent, and in such event, shall inform the respondent of such rights in the presence of such attorney and any guardian ad litem. (D) WHENEVER AN ATTORNEY HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE FAMILY COURT TO REPRESENT A RESPONDENT IN A PROCEEDING UNDER THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, SUCH APPOINTMENT SHALL CONTINUE WITHOUT FURTHER COURT ORDER OR APPOINTMENT DURING AN ORDER OF DISPOSITION ISSUED BY THE COURT, AN ADJOURNMENT IN CONTEMPLATION OF DISMISSAL, OR ANY EXTENSION OR VIOLATION THEREOF, OR ANY PERMANENCY HEARING, OTHER POST-DISPOSITIONAL PROCEEDING OR APPEAL. ALL NOTICES AND REPORTS REQUIRED BY LAW SHALL BE PROVIDED TO SUCH ATTORNEY. SUCH APPOINTMENT SHALL CONTINUE UNLESS ANOTHER APPOINTMENT OF AN ATTORNEY HAS BEEN MADE BY THE COURT OR UNLESS SUCH ATTORNEY MAKES APPLICATION TO THE COURT TO BE RELIEVED OF HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT. UPON APPROVAL OF SUCH APPLICATION TO BE RELIEVED, THE COURT SHALL IMMEDIATELY APPOINT ANOTHER ATTORNEY TO WHOM ALL NOTICES AND REPORTS REQUIRED BY LAW SHALL BE PROVIDED. THE ATTORNEY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE S. 5019 7 PROVISIONS OF LAW FOR SERVICES RENDERED UP TO AND INCLUDING DISPOSITION OF THE PETITION. THE ATTORNEY SHALL, BY SEPARATE APPLICATION, BE ENTI- TLED TO COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED AFTER THE DISPOSITION OF THE PETITION. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE AUTHORITY OF THE COURT TO REMOVE AN ATTORNEY FROM HIS OR HER ASSIGNMENT. S 8. Subdivision (a) of section 756 of the family court act is amended by adding two new paragraphs (iii) and (iv) to read as follows: (III) THE LOCAL COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR THE RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON WITH WHOM THE RESPONDENT HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE COURT, THE ATTORNEY FOR THE RESPONDENT AND THE PRESENTMENT AGENCY, IF ANY, NOT LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE CONCLUSION OF THE PLACEMENT PERIOD; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT WHERE THE LOCAL COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR THE RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON WITH WHOM THE RESPONDENT HAS BEEN PLACED FILES A PETI- TION FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE PLACEMENT AND A PERMANENCY HEARING PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX-A OF THIS PART, SUCH REPORT SHALL BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE ON WHICH THE PERMANENCY HEARING MUST BE HELD AND SHALL BE ANNEXED TO THE PETITION. (IV) THE PERMANENCY HEARING REPORT SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARA- GRAPH (III) OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION (C) OF SECTION ONE THOUSAND EIGHTY-NINE OF THIS ACT AND SHALL CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUCH SUPPORTING DATA AS IS APPROPRI- ATE. THE PERMANENCY HEARING REPORT, AS WELL AS THE REPORT SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE CONCLUSION OF THE PLACEMENT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A PLAN FOR THE RELEASE OF THE RESPONDENT TO THE CUSTODY OF HIS OR HER PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESPONDENT'S CARE, OR (IF THE RESPONDENT HAS ATTAINED THE AGE OF SIXTEEN) TO ANOTHER PERMANENCY ALTER- NATIVE AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (IV) OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX-A OF THIS PART. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, "PLACEMENT AGENCY" SHALL REFER TO THE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR AN AUTHORIZED AGENCY UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT WITH WHOM THE RESPONDENT HAS BEEN PLACED. THE RELEASE PLAN SHALL PROVIDE AS FOLLOWS: (1) IF THE RESPONDENT IS SUBJECT TO ARTICLE SIXTY-FIVE OF THE EDUCA- TION LAW OR ELECTS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM LEADING TO A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FOLLOWING RELEASE, SUCH PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE STEPS THAT THE PLACEMENT AGENCY HAS TAKEN AND WILL BE TAKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY TO ENSURE THE IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT OF THE RESPONDENT IN AN APPROPRIATE SCHOOL OR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM LEADING TO A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA WITHIN FIVE BUSI- NESS DAYS OF RELEASE OR, IF SUCH RELEASE OCCURS DURING THE SUMMER RECESS, IMMEDIATELY UPON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEXT SCHOOL TERM. THE PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL ASCERTAIN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SHALL, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO THAT THE TIMING OF RESPONDENT'S RELEASE FROM THE PROGRAM AND ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL ARE MINIMALLY DISRUPTIVE FOR THE RESPONDENT AND FURTHER HIS OR HER BEST INTERESTS. NOT LESS THAN FOURTEEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE RESPONDENT'S RELEASE, THE PLACEMENT AGENCY SHALL NOTIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE RESPONDENT WILL BE ATTENDING SCHOOL AND TRANSFER ALL NECESSARY RECORDS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RESPONDENT'S COURSE OF STUDY, CREDITS EARNED AND ACADEMIC RECORD. (2) IF THE PLACEMENT AGENCY HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE RESPONDENT MAY HAVE A DISABILITY OR IF THE RESPONDENT HAD BEEN FOUND ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES PRIOR TO OR DURING THE PLACEMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, SUCH PLAN S. 5019 8 SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE STEPS THAT THE PLACEMENT AGEN- CY HAS TAKEN AND WILL BE TAKING TO ENSURE THAT THE LOCAL EDUCATION AGEN- CY MAKES ANY NECESSARY REFERRALS OR ARRANGES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS OR SERVICES, AS APPROPRIATE, AND PROVIDES NECESSARY RECORDS IMMEDIATELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. (3) IF THE RESPONDENT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARTICLE SIXTY-FIVE OF THE EDUCATION LAW AND ELECTS NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM LEADING TO A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, SUCH PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE STEPS THAT THE PLACEMENT AGENCY HAS TAKEN AND WILL BE TAKING TO ASSIST THE RESPONDENT TO BECOME GAINFULLY EMPLOYED OR TO BE ENROLLED IN A VOCATIONAL PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY UPON RELEASE. S 9. Section 756 of the family court act is amended by adding a new subdivision (d) to read as follows: (D)(I) WHERE THE RESPONDENT IS PLACED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE DISPOSITIONAL ORDER OR AN ATTACHMENT TO THE ORDER INCORPORATED BY REFER- ENCE INTO THE ORDER SHALL INCLUDE: (1) A DESCRIPTION OF THE VISITATION PLAN, INCLUDING ANY PLANS FOR VISITS AND/OR CONTACT WITH THE RESPONDENT'S SIBLINGS; (2) A SERVICE PLAN, IF AVAILABLE. IF THE SERVICE PLAN HAS NOT YET BEEN DEVELOPED, THEN THE SERVICE PLAN MUST BE FILED WITH THE COURT AND DELIV- ERED TO THE PRESENTMENT AGENCY, ATTORNEY FOR THE RESPONDENT AND PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THE RESPONDENT NO LATER THAN NINETY DAYS FROM THE DATE THE DISPOSI- TION WAS MADE; AND (3) A DIRECTION THAT THE PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR CARE OF THE RESPONDENT SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY PLANNING CONFERENCES TO BE HELD PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINE-E OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, OF THEIR RIGHT TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCES, AND OF THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE COUNSEL OR ANOTHER REPRESEN- TATIVE OR COMPANION WITH THEM AND, FURTHER, THAT THE RESPONDENT, IF FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, BE INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW. (II) A COPY OF THE COURT'S ORDER AND ATTACHMENTS SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER ATTORNEY AND TO THE RESPONDENT'S PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THE RESPONDENT. THE ORDER SHALL ALSO CONTAIN A NOTICE THAT IF THE RESPONDENT REMAINS IN PLACEMENT FOR FIFTEEN OF THE MOST RECENT TWENTY-TWO MONTHS, THE AGENCY WITH WHICH THE RESPONDENT IS PLACED MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE THE PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PARENT OR PARENTS OF THE RESPONDENT. S 10. Subdivision (a), subdivision (b) and the opening paragraph and paragraphs (iv) and (v) of subdivision (d) of section 756-a of the fami- ly court act, subdivision (a) as amended by chapter 309 of the laws of 1996, subdivision (b) and the opening paragraph of subdivision (d) as amended by section 4 of part B of chapter 327 of the laws of 2007 and paragraphs (iv) and (v) of subdivision (d) as amended by section 23 of part L of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015, are amended and a new para- graph (vi) is added to subdivision (d) to read as follows: (a) In any case in which the [child] RESPONDENT has been placed pursu- ant to section seven hundred fifty-six OF THIS PART, the [child] RESPONDENT, the person with whom the [child] RESPONDENT has been placed or the LOCAL commissioner of social services may petition the court to extend such placement. Such petition shall be filed at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the period of placement, except for good cause shown, but in no event shall such petition be filed after the original expiration date. THE PETITION SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A S. 5019 9 PERMANENCY REPORT THAT CONFORMS TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (III) OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF THIS PART. (b) The court shall conduct a permanency hearing concerning the need for continuing the placement. The child, the person with whom the child has been placed and the LOCAL commissioner of social services shall be notified of such hearing and shall have the right to be heard thereat. A COPY OF THE PETITION AND ACCOMPANYING PERMANENCY REPORT SHALL BE SERVED ON THE RESPONDENT'S ATTORNEY. At the conclusion of the permanency hearing the court may, in its discretion, order an extension of the placement for not more than one year, WHICH MAY INCLUDE A PERIOD OF POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION AND AFTER- CARE, OR MAY DIRECT THAT THE RESPONDENT BE PLACED ON PROBATION FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR, PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN OF THIS PART, OR MAY ORDER THAT THE PETITION FOR AN EXTENSION OF PLACEMENT BE DISMISSED. The court must consider and determine in its order: (iv) whether and when the child: (A) will be returned to the parent; (B) should be placed for adoption with the social services official filing a petition for termination of parental rights; (C) should be referred for legal guardianship; (D) should be placed permanently with a fit and willing relative; or (E) should be placed in another planned permanent living arrangement with a significant connection to an adult willing to be a permanency resource for the child if the child is age sixteen or older and (1) the social services official has documented to the court: (I) intensive, ongoing, and, as of the date of the hearing, unsuccessful efforts made by the social services district to return the child home or secure a placement for the child with a fit and willing relative including adult siblings, a legal guardian, or an adoptive parent, including through efforts that utilize search technology includ- ing social media to find biological family members for children, (II) the steps the social services district is taking to ensure that (A) the child's foster family home or child care facility is following the reasonable and prudent parent standard in accordance with guidance provided by the United States department of health and human services, and (B) the child has regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities including by consulting with the child in an age-appropriate manner about the opportunities of the child to participate in activities; and (2) the social services district has documented to the court and the court has determined that there are compelling reasons for determining that it continues to not be in the best interest of the child to return home, be referred for termination of parental rights and placed for adoption, placed with a fit and will- ing relative, or placed with a legal guardian; and (3) the court has made a determination explaining why, as of the date of the hearing, another planned living arrangement with a significant connection to an adult willing to be a permanency resource for the child is the best permanency plan for the child; [and] (v) where the child will not be returned home, consideration of appro- priate in-state and out-of-state placements[.]; AND (VI) WITH REGARD TO THE PLACEMENT OR EXTENSION OF PLACEMENT ORDERED BY THE COURT PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF THIS PART, THE STEPS THAT MUST BE TAKEN BY THE AGENCY WITH WHICH THE RESPONDENT IS PLACED TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN FOR RELEASE SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO PARA- GRAPHS (III) AND (IV) OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF SUCH SECTION, THE ADEQUACY OF SUCH PLAN AND ANY MODIFICATIONS THAT SHOULD BE MADE TO SUCH PLAN. S. 5019 10 S 11. Subdivisions (e) and (f) of section 756-a of the family court act are relettered subdivisions (f) and (g) and a new subdivision (e) is added to read as follows: (E)(I) IF THE ORDER FROM THE PERMANENCY HEARING EXTENDS THE RESPOND- ENT'S PLACEMENT OR IF THE RESPONDENT CONTINUES IN PLACEMENT UNDER A PRIOR ORDER, THE ORDER OR AN ATTACHMENT TO THE ORDER INCORPORATED INTO THE ORDER BY REFERENCE SHALL INCLUDE: (1) A DESCRIPTION OF THE VISITATION PLAN, INCLUDING ANY PLANS FOR VISITATION AND/OR CONTACT WITH THE RESPONDENT'S SIBLINGS; (2) A SERVICE PLAN AIMED AT EFFECTUATING THE PERMANENCY GOAL; AND (3) A DIRECTION THAT THE PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THE RESPONDENT SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY PLANNING CONFERENCES TO BE HELD PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINE-E OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, OF THEIR RIGHT TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCES AND OF THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE COUNSEL OR ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE OR COMPANION WITH THEM. (II) A COPY OF THE COURT'S ORDER AND THE SERVICE PLAN SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE RESPONDENT AND HIS OR HER ATTORNEY AND TO THE RESPONDENT'S PARENT OR PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THE RESPONDENT. THE ORDER SHALL ALSO CONTAIN A NOTICE THAT IF THE RESPONDENT REMAINS IN FOSTER CARE FOR FIFTEEN OF THE MOST RECENT TWEN- TY-TWO MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE THE PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PARENT OR PARENTS OF THE RESPOND- ENT. S 12. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that: (a) the amendments to paragraph (c) of subdivision 7 of section 353.3 of the family court act made by section four of this act shall take effect on the same date as section 16 of part L of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015 takes effect; (b) the amendments to paragraph (d) of subdivision 7 of section 355.5 of the family court act made by section five of this act shall take effect on the same date as section 18 of part L of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015 takes effect; and (c) the amendments to paragraphs (iv) and (v) of subdivision (d) of section 756-a of the family court act made by section ten of this act shall take effect on the same date as section 23 of part L of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015 takes effect.
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