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SCS/SB 530 - This act modifies provisions relating to termination of parental rights. REASONABLE EFFORTS (211.183) This act amends the current provision regarding the Children's Division discretion to make reasonable efforts for reunification of a child with a parent to include whether the parent is unfit due to alcohol or controlled substances dependency. The act lists the further considerations a court may consider under such circumstances. PARENTAL UNFITNESS (211.477) This act modifies the termination of parental rights provisions by adding to the circumstances under which a parent is considered unfit to be a party to the parent and child relationship because of a consistent pattern of committing a specific abuse. The new circumstances are: - If, while a child is in utero or within 8 hours after a child's birth, either the child's birth mother or the child has tested positive for alcohol, cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine and the mother of the child at issue is the biological mother of at least one other child who was adjudicated an abused or neglected minor or has previously failed to complete treatment services by the Children's Division through a family centered services case. In these instances, the mother shall be presumed to be unfit to be a party to the parent and child relationship; - If, within a three-year period immediately prior to termination adjudication, the parent has pled guilty to or has been convicted of a felony involving the possession, manufacture or distribution of cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine and the mother of the child at issue is the biological mother of at least one other child who was adjudicated an abused or neglected minor or has previously failed to complete treatment services by the Children's Division through a family centered services case. ADRIANE CROUSE
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