This bill amends existing juvenile statutes to ensure compliance with federal requirements regarding placements in qualified residential treatment programs. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services conduct a qualified assessment of a child within 30 days of placement, and that the court reviews this assessment and the placement decision within 60 days. The language changes include replacing the court's responsibility to "order" assessments with the department's obligation to "have" them completed, and similarly, the court's role in "reviewing" is clarified to ensure it issues an order regarding the placement.

Additionally, the bill introduces a provision allowing litigation to continue in cases where an attorney has not been secured for a child despite diligent efforts. This provision prioritizes legal issues that do not affect the child's expressed interests until an attorney becomes available. The effective date for the new provision regarding attorneys is set for August 1, 2026, while the rest of the bill will take effect 60 days after its passage. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the judicial process for children in treatment programs while ensuring their legal representation is addressed in a timely manner.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 169-B:19-d, 169-C:19-f, 169-D:9-d, 169-C:10
SB515 text: 169-B:19-d, 169-C:19-f, 169-D:9-d, 169-C:10