SB214 Summary

• Requires juvenile courts to consider a child's relationship with current foster parents and the child's best interests when determining whether to terminate parental rights.

• Adds "significant emotional ties" between a child and current foster parents as a factor in parental rights termination decisions, including length of time in stable environment and whether severing ties is contrary to the child's best interests.

• Prohibits juvenile courts from considering relatives as candidates for legal guardianship if the relative did not attempt to obtain custody within four months of the child's removal or placement in foster care, and if the current permanency plan goal is adoption by foster parents.

• Exempts individuals whose parental rights have been terminated from receiving notice of pendency in adoption proceedings involving the child.

• Act becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.