HB115 Summary

• Reduces the mandatory foster care threshold for Department of Human Resources to file termination of parental rights petitions from 15 months to 12 of the most recent 22 months.

• Requires completion of termination of parental rights trials within 90 days after service of process is perfected and requires trial court judges to enter final orders within 30 days of trial completion.

• Mandates service by publication if service of process has not been completed within 45 days of filing the termination petition.

• Authorizes courts to order service by publication if the child was abandoned in the state or evidence shows the absent parent(s) are avoiding service or their whereabouts cannot be reasonably ascertained.

• Establishes exceptions to mandatory filing requirements when the child is being cared for by a relative, the Department has documented a compelling reason not to file, or necessary services have not been provided to the family.