US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      38-1581.   Request for termination of parental rights or appointment of permanent guardianship. (a) Either in the petition filed under this code or in a motion made in proceedings under this code, any interested party may request that either or both parents be found unfit and the parental rights of either or both parents be terminated or a permanent guardianship be appointed.

      (b)   Whenever a pleading is filed requesting termination of parental rights, the pleading shall contain a statement of specific facts which are relied upon to support the request, including dates, times and locations to the extent known.

      (c)   The county or district attorney or the county or district attorney's designee shall file pleadings alleging a parent is unfit and requesting termination of parental rights or the establishment of a permanent guardianship within 30 days after the court has determined reintegration is not a viable alternative unless the court has found a compelling reason why adoption or permanent guardianship may not be in the best interest of the child. The court shall set a hearing on such pleadings and matters within 90 days of the filing of such pleadings.

      History:   L. 1982, ch. 182, § 52; L. 1998, ch. 139, § 6; L. 2000, ch. 150, § 18; June 1.