US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      38-1541.   Determination of interested party. Upon motion of any person with whom the child has been residing or who is within the fourth degree of relationship to the child and who desires to have standing to participate in the proceedings regarding the child, the court may order that the person may participate in the proceedings. Upon the filing of the motion, the court may send to the department of social and rehabilitation services a copy of the motion. Upon its receipt, the department shall make an investigation of the advisability of the matter and report its findings and recommendations to the court. In determining whether to enter the order, the court shall take into consideration the length of time the child has resided with the person, the nature of the custody, the relationship between the child and the person and the degree to which the person has been standing in the place of or assumed the obligations of the child's parent. The status as an interested party granted pursuant to this section may be terminated at any time by order of the court.

      History:   L. 1982, ch. 182, § 34; Jan. 1, 1983.