CT HB06723

Adds "abused" as explicit ground for termination of parental rights alongside "neglected" and "uncared for" in multiple statutory provisions covering different circumstances.

Clarifies that a child's prior findings of abuse, neglect, or being uncared for in earlier proceedings can support termination without requiring new findings in the current proceeding.

Replaces gender-neutral language ("party") with "respondent parent" and gender-specific pronouns ("his or her") in provisions regarding right to counsel in termination proceedings.

Requires courts to inform respondent parents of their right to counsel before any waiver is permitted and specifies that counsel fees must be paid by the Judicial Department in Superior Court matters and either the Judicial Department or Probate Court Administration Fund in Probate Court matters.

Maintains existing grounds for termination including abandonment, severe physical abuse, lack of parent-child relationship, conviction for sexual assault resulting in conception, and harm to other children.