AR SB15

Foster parents, adoptive parents, and relative caregivers shall not be made parties to proceedings solely based on notice and hearing rights, and shall not be made parties when reunification remains the case goal.

Courts must determine whether noncustodial parents contributed to dependency-neglect and whether they are fit for custody or visitation, with a presumption that noncustodial parents are fit unless evidence proves otherwise.

Courts may transfer temporary or permanent custody to noncustodial parents or order visitation if in the child's best interest, and must make specific findings if the child cannot be safely placed with a noncustodial parent.

Courts must give preference to the least restrictive disposition consistent with the child's best interests and welfare in initial and subsequent hearings.

Six-month review hearings must address whether the child should be returned to parents, and courts must return children when health and safety can be adequately protected and it is in the child's best interest; case plan incompletion alone is insufficient reason to deny family reunification.