HB 2582 requires the Department of Social and Health Services, in a case where the court approves a sole permanency plan of adoption, to file a petition seeking termination of parental rights unless the court makes a good cause exception as to why the filing of a petition seeking termination of parental rights is not appropriate.
House Floor Amendment: As amended, the bill requires the court to order the filing of a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship if a child has been in out-of-home care for at least 12 consecutive months and the parents have been non-compliant with court-ordered services, in lieu of requiring the court to order the filing of a petition seeking the termination of parental rights in any case where the court approves a sole permanency plan of adoption.
Human Services and Corrections Committee: As amended, a petition seeking termination of parental rights would take place at 17 months (rather than 12).
Senate Floor Amendment: Adds additional factors that the court must find before ordering a termination petition: DSHS has expressly and understandably offered or provided all necessary services; and there is no genuine issue of material fact that the parents have been noncompliant with court-ordered services and have made no progress toward successfully correcting parental deficiencies.
