NCJ Number
188680
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 48 Issue: 4 Dated: 1997 Pages: 43-54
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article provides excerpts from a national study which attempted to determine the uniformity or variance in statutes since initiation of Federal legislation attempting to improve State practice in handling child abuse and neglect cases.
Abstract
The article reviewed State statutes pertaining to child abuse and neglect and permanency planning, with a focus on comparing those States with statutes mandating specific timetables and policy. The goal of the article was to present highlights of the 50 States' statutory requirements for processing child abuse and neglect cases. Toward this end, the article identified mandatory statutory time frames for filing petitions, emergency hearings, adjudicatory and dispositional hearings, court reviews, and permanency planning, drawing attention to any unique approaches to statutory guidelines for processing child abuse and neglect cases. The article examines how States approached the representation of children and parents in court, including whether or not qualifications and training for guardians ad litem were mandated by State statutes. The article includes an overview of statutory requirements for agency or board reviews and reporting to the court and the extent to which "reasonable efforts" were articulated in statute. Tables, notes