The bill amends the Child Protection Law by updating Section 18 to enhance the criteria under which the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) must submit a petition for court authorization regarding child protection cases. It specifies that the DHHS must file a petition if a parent, guardian, custodian, or any adult residing in the child's home has abused the child or a sibling, with the definition of abuse expanded to include human trafficking. Additionally, the bill outlines circumstances where there is a risk of harm or neglect, particularly if a parent's rights to another child have been previously terminated due to similar abuse.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that if a parent is suspected of being a perpetrator or of placing the child at risk, the DHHS must request termination of parental rights during the initial dispositional hearing. It also establishes a requirement for the department to hold a conference among agency personnel if they are considering such a petition, ensuring that the attorney representing the child is notified and can attend. If no agreement is reached during the conference, the department director or their designee will make the final decision after consulting with the involved attorneys.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 722.638