Ch. 596

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(I) RETURNED TO THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN;

(II) PLACED WITH RELATIVES TO WHOM ADOPTION OR
GUARDIANSHIP IS GRANTED;

(III) PLACED FOR ADOPTION;

(IV)   EMANCIPATED;

(V)     BECAUSE OF THE CHILD'S SPECIAL NEEDS OR
CIRCUMSTANCES, CONTINUED IN PLACEMENT ON A PERMANENT OR LONG-TERM
BASIS; OR

(VI)   BECAUSE OF THE CHILD'S SPECIAL NEEDS OR
CIRCUMSTANCES, CONTINUED IN PLACEMENT FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD; OR

(2) FOR A CHILD WHO HAS ATTAINED THE AGE OF 16, DETERMINE THE
SERVICES NEEDED TO ASSIST THE CHILD TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM
PLACEMENT TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.

(D)    FOR A CHILD WHOM THE COURT DETERMINES SHALL BE CONTINUED IN
PLACEMENT UNDER SUBSECTION (C)(1)(VI) OF THIS SECTION:

(1)     THE COURT SHALL:

(I) DETERMINE THE CONTINUING NECESSITY FOR AND
APPROPRIATENESS OF THE COMMITMENT;

(II) DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CASE
PERMANENCY PLAN;

(III) DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN
MADE TOWARD ALLEVIATING OR MITIGATING THE CAUSES NECESSITATING
COMMITMENT; AND

(IV) PROJECT A REASONABLE DATE BY WHICH A CHILD IN
PLACEMENT MAY BE RETURNED HOME OR PLACED FOR ADOPTION OR LEGAL
GUARDIANSHIP; AND

(2)     THE COURT SHALL CONDUCT A REVIEW HEARING NO LESS
FREQUENTLY THAN EVERY 6 MONTHS UNTIL COMMITMENT IS RESCINDED.

(3)     EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT SHALL BE MADE TO EFFECTUATE A
PERMANENT PLACEMENT FOR THE CHILD WITHIN 24 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF
INITIAL PLACEMENT.

(E)     FOR A CHILD WHOM THE COURT DETERMINES SHALL BE PLACED FOR
ADOPTION UNDER SUBSECTION (C)(1)(III) OF THIS SECTION:

(1)     THE COURT SHALL ORDER THAT THE PETITION FOR TERMINATION
OF PARENTAL RIGHTS SHALL BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS; AND

(2)     THE COURT SHALL SCHEDULE THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL
RIGHTS HEARING IN LIEU OF THE NEXT 6-MONTH REVIEW HEARING.

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