Ch. 49

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(ii) Within 30 days after the court finds that reasonable efforts to
reunify a child with the child's parent or guardian are not required based on a finding
that a circumstance enumerated in § 3-812 of this subtitle has occurred.

(2)     For purposes of this section, a child shall be considered to have
entered an out-of-home placement 30 days after the child is placed into an
out-of-home placement.

(3)     If all parties agree, a permanency planning hearing may be held on
the same day as the reasonable efforts hearing.

(c)      (1) On the written request of a party or on its own motion, the court may
schedule a hearing at any earlier time to determine a permanency plan or to review
the implementation of a permanency plan for any child committed under § 3-819 of
this subtitle.

(2) A written request for review shall state the reason for the request
and each issue to be raised.

(d)     At least 10 days before the permanency planning hearing, the local
department shall provide all parties and the court with a copy of the local
department's permanency plan for the child.

(e)     At a permanency planning hearing, the court shall:

(1)     Determine the child's permanency plan, which may be:
(i) Reunification with the parent or guardian;

(ii) Placement with a relative for:

1.       Adoption; or

2.       Custody and guardianship;
(iii) Adoption by a nonrelative;

(iv) Guardianship by a nonrelative;

(v) Continuation in a specified placement on a permanent basis
because of the child's special needs or circumstances;

(vi) Continuation in placement for a specified period because of the
child's special needs or circumstances; or

(vii) Independent living; and

(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.

(f)      The court may not order a child to be continued in a placement under
subsection (e)(1)(v) or (vi) of this section unless the court finds that the person or

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