MI HB5097

Courts must issue an opinion or order on petitions to terminate parental rights within 70 days of the initial hearing, though failure to meet this deadline does not dismiss the petition.

Parental rights may be terminated if the parent's rights to another child were voluntarily terminated following initiation of child protective proceedings involving abuse including abandonment, criminal sexual conduct, severe physical abuse, or other serious harm.

Foster parents with specific knowledge of grounds for termination may petition the court to terminate parental rights if the department, prosecuting attorney, child's attorney, and guardian ad litem have been contacted and do not intend to file.

Courts may terminate parental rights at the initial dispositional hearing and may suspend parenting time for parents who are subjects of termination petitions.

Written notice of termination hearings must be served at least 14 days in advance to the agency, foster parent, parents, guardians, child's attorney, and the child if 11 years of age or older.