Section | Description |
---|---|
1031 | Originating proceeding to determine abuse or neglect. |
1032 | Persons who may originate proceedings. |
1033 | Access to the court for the purpose of filing a petition. |
1033-A | Initial appearance. |
1033-B | Initial appearance; procedures. |
1034 | Power to order investigations. |
1035 | Issuance of summons; notice to certain interested persons and intervention. |
1036 | Service of summons. |
1037 | Issuance of warrant and reports to court. |
1038 | Records and discovery involving abuse and neglect. |
1038-A | Discovery; upon court order. |
1039 | Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. |
1039-A | Procedures following adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. |
1039-B | Termination of reasonable efforts. |
1040 | Notice and right to be heard. |
S 1031. Originating proceeding to determine abuse or neglect. (a) A proceeding under this article is originated by the filing of a petition in which facts sufficient to establish that a child is an abused or neglected child under this article are alleged. (b) Allegations of abuse and neglect may be contained in the same petition. Where more than one child is the legal responsibility of the respondent, it may be alleged in the same petition that one or more children are abused children, or that one or more children are neglected children, or both. (c) On its own motion and at any time in the proceedings, the court may substitute for a petition to determine abuse a petition to determine neglect if the facts established are not sufficient to make a finding of abuse, as defined by this article. (d) A proceeding under this article may be originated by a child protective agency pursuant to section one thousand thirty-two, notwithstanding that the child is in the care and custody of such agency. In such event, the petition shall allege facts sufficient to establish that the return of the child to the care and custody of his parent or other person legally responsible for his care would place the child in imminent danger of becoming an abused or neglected child. (e) In any case where a child has been removed prior to the filing of a petition, the petition alleging abuse or neglect of said child shall state the date and time of the removal, the circumstances necessitating such removal, whether the removal occurred pursuant to section ten hundred twenty-one, ten hundred twenty-two or ten hundred twenty-four of this act, and if the removal occurred without court order, the reason there was not sufficient time to obtain a court order pursuant to section ten hundred twenty-two of this act. (f) A petition alleging abuse shall contain a notice in conspicuous print that a fact-finding that a child is severely or repeatedly abused as defined in subdivision eight of section three hundred eighty-four-b of the social services law, by clear and convincing evidence, could constitute a basis to terminate parental rights in a proceeding pursuant to section three hundred eighty-four-b of the social services law. S 1032. Persons who may originate proceedings. The following may originate a proceeding under this article: (a) a child protective agency, or (b) a person on the court's direction. S 1033. Access to the court for the purpose of filing a petition. Any person seeking to file a petition at the court's direction, pursuant to subdivision (b) of section one thousand thirty-two shall have access to the court for the purpose of making an ex parte application therefor. Nothing in this section, however, is intended to prevent a family court judge from requiring such person to first report to an appropriate child protective agency. S 1033-a. Initial appearance. For the purposes of this section, "initial appearance" means the proceeding on the date the respondent first appears before the court after the petition has been filed and any adjournments thereof. S 1033-b. Initial appearance; procedures. 1. (a) At the initial appearance, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the interests of any child named in a petition who is alleged to be abused or neglected, unless an attorney has already been appointed for such child pursuant to section one thousand sixteen of this act. (b) At the initial appearance, the court shall advise the respondent of the allegations in the petition and further advise the respondent of the right to an adjournment of the proceeding in order to obtain counsel. The recitation of such rights shall not be waived except that the recitation of the allegations in the petition may be waived upon the consent of the counsel for the respondent and such counsel's representation on the record that he or she has explained such allegations to the respondent and has provided the respondent with a copy of the petition and the respondent's acknowledgement of receipt of the petition and such explanation. (c) At the initial appearance, the court shall appoint counsel for indigent respondents pursuant to section two hundred sixty-two of this act. (d) In any case where a child has been removed, the court shall advise the respondent of the right to a hearing, pursuant to section ten hundred twenty-eight of this act, for the return of the child and that such hearing may be requested at any time during the proceeding. The recitation of such rights shall not be waived. (e) At the initial appearance, the court shall inquire of the child protective agency whether such agency intends to prove that the child is a severely or repeatedly abused child as defined in subdivision eight of section three hundred eighty-four-b of the social services law, by clear and convincing evidence. Where the agency advises the court that it intends to submit such proof, the court shall so advise the respondent. S 1034. Power to order investigations. 1. A family court judge may order the child protective service of the appropriate social services district to conduct a child protective investigation as described by the social services law and report its findings to the court: (a) in any proceedings under this article, or (b) in order to determine whether a proceeding under this article should be initiated. 2. (a)(i) Before a petition is filed and where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child or children's life or health may be in danger, child protective services may seek a court order based upon: (A) a report of suspected abuse or maltreatment under title six of article six of the social services law as well as any additional information that a child protective investigator has learned in the investigation; and (B) the fact that the investigator has been unable to locate the child named in the report or any other children in the household or has been denied access to the child or children in the household sufficient to determine their safety; and (C) the fact that the investigator has advised the parent or other persons legally responsible for the child or children that, when denied sufficient access to the child or other children in the household, the child protective investigator may consider seeking an immediate court order to gain access to the child or children without further notice to the parent or other persons legally responsible. (ii) Where a court order has been requested pursuant to this paragraph the court may issue an order under this section requiring that the parent or other persons legally responsible for the child or children produce the child or children at a particular location which may include a child advocacy center, or to a particular person for an interview of the child or children, and for observation of the condition of the child, outside of the presence of the parent or other person responsible. (b)(i) Before a petition is filed and where there is probable cause to believe that an abused or neglected child may be found on the premises, child protective services may seek a court order based upon: (A) a report of suspected abuse or maltreatment under title six of article six of the social services law as well as any additional information that a child protective investigator has learned in the investigation; and (B) the fact that the investigator has been denied access to the home of the child or children in order to evaluate the home environment; and (C) the fact that the investigator has advised the parent or other person legally responsible for the child or children that, when denied access to the home environment, the child protective investigator may consider seeking an immediate court order to gain access to the home environment without further notice to the parent or other person legally responsible. (ii) Where a court order has been requested pursuant to this paragraph the court may issue an order under this section authorizing the person conducting the child protective investigation to enter the home in order to determine whether such child or children are present and/or to conduct a home visit and evaluate the home environment of the child or children. (c) The procedure for granting an order pursuant to this subdivision shall be the same as for a search warrant under article six hundred ninety of the criminal procedure law. If an order is issued in accordance with this subdivision the court shall specify which action may be taken and by whom in the order. (d) In determining if such orders shall be made, the court shall consider all relevant information, including but not limited to: (i) the nature and seriousness of the allegations made in the report; (ii) the age and vulnerability of the child or children; (iii) the potential harm to the child or children if a full investigation is not completed; (iv) the relationship of the source of the report to the family, including the source's ability to observe that which has been alleged; and (v) the child protective or criminal history, if any, of the family and any other relevant information that the investigation has already obtained. (e) The court shall assess which actions are necessary in light of the child or children's safety, provided, however, that such actions shall be the least intrusive to the family. (f) The court shall be available at all hours to hear such requests by the social services district which shall be permitted to make such requests either in writing or orally, pursuant to section 690.36 of the criminal procedure law, in person to the family court during hours that the court is open and orally by telephone or in person, pursuant to section 690.36 of the criminal procedure law, to a family court judge when the court is not open. While the request is being made, law enforcement shall remain where the child or children are or are believed to be present if the child protective services investigator has requested law enforcement assistance. Provided, however, that law enforcement may not enter the premises where the child or children are believed to be present without a search warrant or another constitutional basis for such entry. (g) Where the court issues an order under this section, the child protective investigator shall within three business days prepare a report to the court detailing his or her findings and any other actions that have been taken pertaining to the child named in the report and any other children in the household. (h) Nothing in this section shall limit the court's authority to issue any appropriate order in accordance with the provisions of this article after a petition has been filed. S 1035. Issuance of summons; notice to certain interested persons and intervention. (a) On the filing of a petition under this article where the child has been removed from his or her home, unless a warrant is issued pursuant to section one thousand thirty-seven of this part, the court shall cause a copy of the petition and a summons to be issued the same day the petition is filed, clearly marked on the face thereof "Child Abuse Case", as applicable, requiring the parent or other person legally responsible for the child's care or with whom he or she had been residing to appear at the court within three court days to answer the petition, unless a shorter time for a hearing to occur is prescribed in part two of this article. (b) In a proceeding to determine abuse or neglect, the summons shall contain a statement in conspicuous print informing the respondent that: (i) the proceeding may lead to the filing of a petition under the social services law for the termination of respondent's parental rights and commitment of guardianship and custody of the child for the purpose of adoption; and (ii) if the child is placed and remains in foster care for fifteen of the most recent twenty-two months, the agency may be required by law to file a petition for termination of respondent's parental rights and commitment of guardianship and custody of the child for the purposes of adoption. (c) On the filing of a petition under this article where the child has not been removed from his or her home, the court shall forthwith cause a copy of the petition and a summons to be issued, clearly marked on the face thereof "Child Abuse Case", as applicable, requiring the parent or other person legally responsible for the child's care or with whom the child is residing to appear at the court to answer the petition within seven court days. The court may also require the person thus summoned to produce the child at the time and place named. (d) Where the respondent is not the child's parent, service of the summons and petition shall also be ordered on both of the child's parents; where only one of the child's parents is the respondent, service of the summons and petition shall also be ordered on the child's other parent. The summons and petition shall be accompanied by a notice of pendency of the child protective proceeding advising the parents or parent of the right to appear and participate in the proceeding as an interested party intervenor for the purpose of seeking temporary and permanent custody of the child, and to participate thereby in all arguments and hearings insofar as they affect the temporary custody of the child during fact-finding proceedings, and in all phases of dispositional proceedings. The notice shall also indicate that: (i) upon good cause, the court may order an investigation pursuant to section one thousand thirty-four of this part to determine whether a petition should be filed naming such parent or parents as respondents; (ii) if the court determines that the child must be removed from his or her home, the court may order an investigation to determine whether the non-respondent parent or parents would be suitable custodians for the child; and (iii) if the child is placed and remains in foster care for fifteen of the most recent twenty-two months, the agency may be required by law to file a petition for termination of the parental rights of the parent or parents and commitment of guardianship and custody of the child for the purposes of adoption, even if the parent or parents were not named as a respondent or as respondents in the child abuse or neglect proceeding. (e) The summons, petition and notice of pendency of a child protective proceeding served on the child's non-custodial parent in accordance with subdivision (d) of this section shall, if applicable, be served together with a notice that the child was removed from his or her home by a social services official. Such notice shall also include the name and address of the official to whom temporary custody of the child has been transferred, the name and address of the agency or official with whom the child has been temporarily placed, if different, and shall advise such parent of the right to request temporary and permanent custody and to seek enforcement of visitation rights with the child as provided for in part eight of this article. (f) The child's adult sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle not named as respondent in the petition, may, upon consent of the child's parent appearing in the proceeding, or where such parent has not appeared then without such consent, move to intervene in the proceeding as an interested party intervenor for the purpose of seeking temporary or permanent custody of the child, and upon the granting of such motion shall be permitted to participate in all arguments and hearings insofar as they affect the temporary custody of the child during fact-finding proceedings, and in all phases of dispositional proceedings. Such motions for intervention shall be liberally granted. S 1036. Service of summons. (a) Except as provided for in subdivision (c) of this section, in cases involving abuse, the petition and summons shall be served within two court days after their issuance. If they cannot be served within that time, such fact shall be reported to the court with the reasons thereof within three court days after their issuance and the court shall thereafter issue a warrant in accordance with the provisions of section one thousand thirty-seven. The court shall also, unless dispensed with for good cause shown, direct that the child be brought before the court. Issuance of a warrant shall not be required where process is sent without the state as provided for in subdivision (c) of this section. (b) Service of a summons and petition shall be made by delivery of a true copy thereof to the person summoned at least twenty-four hours before the time stated therein for appearance. (c) In cases involving either abuse or neglect, the court may send process without the state in the same manner and with the same effect as process sent within the state in the exercise of personal jurisdiction over any person subject to the jurisdiction of the court under section three hundred one or three hundred two of the civil practice law and rules, notwithstanding that such person is not a resident or domiciliary of the state, where the allegedly abused or neglected child resides or is domiciled within the state and the alleged abuse or neglect occurred within the state. In cases involving abuse where service of a petition and summons upon a non-resident or non-domiciliary respondent is required, such service shall be made within ten days after its issuance. If service can not be effected in ten days, an extension of the period to effect service may be granted by the court for good cause shown upon application of any party or the child's attorney. Where service is effected on an out of state respondent and the respondent defaults by failing to appear to answer the petition, the court may on its own motion, or upon application of any party or the child's attorney proceed to a fact finding hearing thereon. (d) If after reasonable effort, personal service is not made, the court may at any stage in the proceedings make an order providing for substituted service in the manner provided for substituted service in civil process in courts of record. S 1037. Issuance of warrant and reports to court. (a) The court may issue a warrant directing the parent, or other person legally responsible for the child's care or with whom he is residing to be brought before the court, when a petition is filed with the court under this article and it appears that (i) the summons cannot be served; or (ii) the summoned person has refused to obey the summons; or (iii) the parent or other person legally responsible for the child's care is likely to leave the jurisdiction; or (iv) a summons, in the court's opinion, would be ineffectual; or (v) the safety of the child is endangered; or (vi) the safety of a parent, person legally responsible for the child's care or with whom he is residing, foster parent or temporary custodian is endangered. (b) When issuing a warrant under this section, the court may also direct that the child be brought before the court. (c) In any case involving abuse, the warrant shall be clearly marked on the face thereof "Child Abuse Case". If a warrant is not executed within two court days of its issuance, such fact shall be reported to the court within three court days of its issuance. Rules of court shall provide that reports of unexecuted warrants issued under this article shall be periodically made to the court. (d) In a proceeding to determine abuse, the warrant shall contain a statement clearly marked on the face thereof, that the proceeding could lead to a proceeding under the social services law for the commitment of guardianship and custody of the child and that the rights of the respondent with respect to said child may be terminated in such proceeding under such law. S 1038. Records and discovery involving abuse and neglect. (a) Each hospital and any other public or private agency having custody of any records, photographs or other evidence relating to abuse or neglect, upon the subpoena of the court, the corporation counsel, county attorney, district attorney, counsel for the child, or one of the parties to the proceeding, shall be required to send such records, photographs or evidence to the court for use in any proceeding relating to abuse or neglect under this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, service of any such subpoena on a hospital may be made by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the director of the hospital. The court shall establish procedures for the receipt and safeguarding of such records. (b) Pursuant to a demand made under rule three thousand one hundred twenty of the civil practice law and rules, a petitioner or social services official shall provide to a respondent or the child's attorney any records, photographs or other evidence demanded relevant to the proceeding, for inspection and photocopying. The petitioner or social services official may delete the identity of the persons who filed reports pursuant to section four hundred fifteen of the social services law, unless such petitioner or official intends to offer such reports into evidence at a hearing held pursuant to this article. The petitioner or social services official may move for a protective order to withhold records, photographs or evidence which will not be offered into evidence and the disclosure of which is likely to endanger the life or health of the child. (c) A respondent or the child's attorney may move for an order directing that any child who is the subject of a proceeding under this article be made available for examination by a physician, psychologist or social worker selected by such party or the child's attorney. In determining the motion, the court shall consider the need of the respondent or child's attorney for such examination to assist in the preparation of the case and the potential harm to the child from the examination. Nothing in this section shall preclude the parties from agreeing upon a person to conduct such examination without court order. Any examination or interview, other than a physical examination, of a child who is the subject of a proceeding under this article, for the purposes of offering expert testimony to a court regarding the sexual abuse of the child, as such term is defined by section one thousand twelve of this article, may, in the discretion of the court, be videotaped in its entirety with access to be provided to the court, the child's attorney and all parties. In determining whether such examination or interview should be videotaped, the court shall consider the effect of the videotaping on the reliability of the examination, the effect of the videotaping on the child and the needs of the parties, including the attorney for the child, for the videotape. Prior to admitting a videotape of an examination or interview into evidence, the person conducting such examination or the person operating the video camera shall submit to the court a verified statement confirming that such videotape is a complete and unaltered videographic record of such examination of the child. The proponent of entry of the videotape into evidence must establish that the potential prejudicial effect is substantially outweighed by the probative value of the videotape in assessing the reliability of the validator in court. Nothing in this section shall in any way affect the admissibility of such evidence in any other court proceeding. The chief administrator of the courts shall promulgate regulations protecting the confidentiality and security of such tapes, and regulating the access thereto, consistent with the provisions of this section. (d) Unless otherwise proscribed by this article, the provisions and limitations of article thirty-one of the civil practice law and rules shall apply to proceedings under this article. In determining any motion for a protective order, the court shall consider the need of the party for the discovery to assist in the preparation of the case and any potential harm to the child from the discovery. The court shall set a schedule for discovery to avoid unnecessary delay. S 1038-a. Discovery; upon court order. Upon motion of a petitioner or attorney for the child, the court may order a respondent to provide nontestimonial evidence, only if the court finds probable cause that the evidence is reasonably related to establishing the allegations in a petition filed pursuant to this article. Such order may include, but not be limited to, provision for the taking of samples of blood, urine, hair or other materials from the respondent's body in a manner not involving an unreasonable intrusion or risk of serious physical injury to the respondent. S 1039. Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. (a) Prior to or upon a fact-finding hearing, the court may upon a motion by the petitioner with the consent of the respondent and the child's attorney or upon its own motion with the consent of the petitioner, the respondent and the child's attorney, order that the proceeding be "adjourned in contemplation of dismissal". Under no circumstances shall the court order any party to consent to an order under this section. The court may make such order only after it has apprised the respondent of the provisions of this section and it is satisfied that the respondent understands the effect of such provisions. (b) An adjournment in contemplation of dismissal is an adjournment of the proceeding for a period not to exceed one year with a view to ultimate dismissal of the petition in furtherance of justice. Upon the consent of the petitioner, the respondent and the child's attorney, the court may issue an order extending such period for such time and upon such conditions as may be agreeable to the parties. (c) Such order may include terms and conditions agreeable to the parties and to the court, provided that such terms and conditions shall include a requirement that the child and the respondent be under the supervision of a child protective agency during the adjournment period. In any order issued pursuant to this section, such agency shall be directed to make a progress report to the court, the parties and the child's attorney on the implementation of such order, no later than ninety days after the issuance of such order, unless the court determines that the facts and circumstances of the case do not require such reports to be made. The child protective agency shall make further reports to the court, the parties and the child's attorney in such manner and at such times as the court may direct. (d) Upon application of the respondent, the petitioner, the child's attorney or upon the court's own motion, made at any time during the duration of the order, if the child protective agency has failed substantially to provide the respondent with adequate supervision or to observe the terms and conditions of the order, the court may direct the child protective agency to observe such terms and conditions and provide adequate supervision or may make any order authorized pursuant to section two hundred fifty-five of this act. (e) Upon application of the petitioner or the child's attorney or upon the court's own motion, made at any time during the duration of the order, the court may restore the matter to the calendar, if the court finds after a hearing that the respondent has failed substantially to observe the terms and conditions of the order or to cooperate with the supervising child protective agency. In such event, unless the parties consent to an order pursuant to section one thousand fifty-one of this act or unless the petition is dismissed upon the consent of the petitioner, the court shall thereupon proceed to a fact-finding hearing under this article no later than sixty days after such application unless such period is extended by the court for good cause shown. (f) If the proceeding is not so restored to the calendar, the petition is, at the expiration of the adjournment period, deemed to have been dismissed by the court in furtherance of justice unless an application is pending pursuant to subdivision (e) of this section. If such application is granted the petition shall not be dismissed and shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of such subdivision (e). (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the court, may, at any time prior to dismissal of the petition pursuant to subdivision (f), issue an order authorized pursuant to section one thousand twenty-seven. S 1039-a. Procedures following adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. The local child protective service shall notify the child's attorney of an indicated report of child abuse or maltreatment in which the respondent is a subject of the report or another person named in the report, as such terms are defined in section four hundred twelve of the social services law, while any order issued pursuant to section one thousand thirty-nine or extension thereof remains in effect. S 1039-b. Termination of reasonable efforts. (a) In conjunction with, or at any time subsequent to, the filing of a petition under section ten hundred thirty-one of this chapter, the social services official may file a motion upon notice requesting a finding that reasonable efforts to return the child to his or her home are no longer required. (b) For the purpose of this section, reasonable efforts to make it possible for the child to return safely to his or her home shall not be required where the court determines that: (1) the parent of such child has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances, as defined in subdivision (j) of section ten hundred twelve of this article; (2) the parent of such child has been convicted of (i) murder in the first degree as defined in section 125.27 or murder in the second degree as defined in section 125.25 of the penal law and the victim was another child of the parent; or (ii) manslaughter in the first degree as defined in section 125.20 or manslaughter in the second degree as defined in section 125.15 of the penal law and the victim was another child of the parent, provided, however, that the parent must have acted voluntarily in committing such crime; (3) the parent of such child has been convicted of an attempt to commit any of the foregoing crimes, and the victim or intended victim was the child or another child of the parent; or has been convicted of criminal solicitation as defined in article one hundred, conspiracy as defined in article one hundred five or criminal facilitation as defined in article one hundred fifteen of the penal law for conspiring, soliciting or facilitating any of the foregoing crimes, and the victim or intended victim was the child or another child of the parent; (4) the parent of such child has been convicted of assault in the second degree as defined in section 120.05, assault in the first degree as defined in section 120.10 or aggravated assault upon a person less than eleven years old as defined in section 120.12 of the penal law, and the commission of one of the foregoing crimes resulted in serious physical injury to the child or another child of the parent; (5) the parent of such child has been convicted in any other jurisdiction of an offense which includes all of the essential elements of any crime specified in paragraph two, three or four of this subdivision, and the victim of such offense was the child or another child of the parent; or (6) the parental rights of the parent to a sibling of such child have been involuntarily terminated; unless the court determines that providing reasonable efforts would be in the best interests of the child, not contrary to the health and safety of the child, and would likely result in the reunification of the parent and the child in the foreseeable future. The court shall state such findings in its order. (c) If the court determines that reasonable efforts are not required because of one of the grounds set forth above, a permanency hearing shall be held within thirty days of the finding of the court that such efforts are not required. At the permanency hearing, the court shall determine the appropriateness of the permanency plan prepared by the social services official which shall include whether or when the child: (i) will be returned to the parent; (ii) should be placed for adoption with the social services official filing a petition for termination of parental rights; (iii) should be referred for legal guardianship; (iv) should be placed permanently with a fit and willing relative; or (v) should be placed in another planned permanent living arrangement if the social services official has documented to the court a compelling reason for determining that it would not be in the best interests of the child to return home, be referred for termination of parental rights and placed for adoption, placed with a fit and willing relative, or placed with a legal guardian. The social services official shall thereafter make reasonable efforts to place the child in a timely manner, including consideration of appropriate in-state and out-of-state placements, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child as set forth in the permanency plan approved by the court. If reasonable efforts are determined by the court not to be required because of one of the grounds set forth in this paragraph, the social services official may file a petition for termination of parental rights in accordance with section three hundred eighty-four-b of the social services law. (d) For the purpose of this section, in determining reasonable effort to be made with respect to a child, and in making such reasonable efforts, the child's health and safety shall be the paramount concern; and (e) For the purpose of this section, a sibling shall include a half-sibling. S 1040. Notice and right to be heard. The foster parent caring for the child or any pre-adoptive parent or relative providing care for the child shall be provided with notice of any permanency hearing held pursuant to this article by the social services official. Such foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative shall have the right to be heard at any such hearing; provided, however, no such foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative shall be construed to be a party to the hearing solely on the basis of such notice and right to be heard. The failure of the foster parent, pre-adoptive parent, or relative caring for the child to appear at a permanency hearing shall constitute a waiver of the right to be heard and such failure to appear shall not cause a delay of the permanency hearing nor shall such failure to appear be a ground for the invalidation of any order issued by the court pursuant to this section. Top of Page
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