2010 Idaho Code
TITLE 16 JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER 16 CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT
16-1619 ADJUDICATORY HEARING -- CONDUCT OF HEARING -- CONSOLIDATION.

TITLE 16

JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS

CHAPTER 16

CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT

16-1619. Adjudicatory hearing -- Conduct of hearing -- Consolidation. (1) When a petition has been filed, the court shall set an adjudicatory hearing to be held no later than thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition.

(2) A pretrial conference shall be held outside the presence of the court within three (3) to five (5) days before the adjudicatory hearing. Investigative reports required under section 16-1616, Idaho Code, shall be delivered to the court with copies to each of the parents and other legal custodians, guardian ad litem and attorney for the child prior to the pretrial conference.

(3) At the adjudicatory hearing, parents or guardians with disabilities shall have the right to introduce admissible evidence regarding how use of adaptive equipment or supportive services may enable the parent or guardian to carry out the responsibilities of parenting the child by addressing the reason for the removal of the child.

(4) If a preponderance of the evidence at the adjudicatory hearing shows that the child comes within the court's jurisdiction under this chapter upon the grounds set forth in section 16-1603, Idaho Code, the court shall so decree and in its decree shall make a finding on the record of the facts and conclusions of law upon which it exercises jurisdiction over the child.

(5) Upon entering its decree the court shall consider any information relevant to the disposition of the child but in any event shall:

(a) Place the child under protective supervision in his own home for an indeterminate period not to exceed the child's eighteenth birthday; or

(b) Vest legal custody in the department or other authorized agency subject to residual parental rights and subject to full judicial review by the court of all matters relating to the custody of the child by the department or other authorized agency.

(6) If the court vests legal custody in the department or other authorized agency, the court shall make detailed written findings based on facts in the record, that, in addition to the findings required in subsection (4) of this section, continuation of residence in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child and that vesting legal custody with the department or other authorized agency would be in the best interests of the child. In addition the court shall make detailed written findings based on facts in the record as to whether the department made reasonable efforts to prevent the placement of the child in foster care, including findings, when appropriate, that:

(a) Reasonable efforts were made but were not successful in eliminating the need for foster care placement of the child;

(b) The department made reasonable efforts to prevent removal but was not able to safely provide preventive services;

(c) Reasonable efforts to temporarily place the child with related persons were made but were not successful; or

(d) Reasonable efforts were not required as the parent had subjected the child to aggravated circumstances as determined by the court including, but not limited to: abandonment; torture; chronic abuse; sexual abuse; committed murder; committed voluntary manslaughter of another child; aided or abetted, attempted, conspired or solicited to commit such a murder or voluntary manslaughter; committed a battery or an injury to a child that results in serious or great bodily injury to a child; or the parental rights of the parent to a sibling of the child have been terminated involuntarily and that as a result, a hearing to determine the permanent future plan for this child will be held within thirty (30) days of this determination.

(7) A decree vesting legal custody in the department shall be binding upon the department and may continue until the child's eighteenth birthday.

(8) A decree vesting legal custody in an authorized agency other than the department shall be for a period of time not to exceed the child's eighteenth birthday, and on such other terms as the court shall state in its decree to be in the best interests of the child and which the court finds to be acceptable to such authorized agency.

(9) In order to preserve the unity of the family system and to ensure the best interests of the child whether issuing an order of protective supervision or an order of legal custody, the court may consider extending or initiating a protective order as part of the decree. The protective order shall be determined as in the best interests of the child and upon a showing of continuing danger to the child. The conditions and terms of the protective order shall be clearly stated in the decree.

(10) If the court does not find that the child comes within the jurisdiction of this chapter pursuant to subsection (4) of this section it shall dismiss the petition.