Bill Text: NY S06116 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Amended


Bill Title: Relates to procedures for destitute children; relates to kinship guardian assistance payments; clarifies that the court may appoint an attorney for the child in article 10-B proceedings; provides a new definition of "destitute child" to include a child who is in a state of want or suffering, does not fit with the definition of an abused or neglected child under FCA article 10 and is without any parent or caretaker available to sufficiently care for such child due to certain conditions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-18 - SUBSTITUTED BY A8694A [S06116 Detail]

Download: New_York-2011-S06116-Amended.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                        6116--A
           Cal. No. 14
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                      (PREFILED)
                                    January 4, 2012
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  SALAND -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
         printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and  Families  --
         reported  favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee
         on Rules -- ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted,
         retaining its place in the order of third reading
       AN ACT to amend the family court act, the social services law, a chapter
         of the laws of 2011 amending the  family  court  act  and  the  social
         services  law  relating  to  procedures  for destitute children in the
         family court, as proposed in legislative bills  numbers  A.7836-A  and
         S.5694-A  and  a  chapter  of  the  laws  of  2011 amending the social
         services law relating to  kinship  guardian  assistance  payments,  as
         proposed  in  legislative bills numbers A.8339 and S.5745, in relation
         to destitute children; and to repeal paragraph (i) of subdivision 6 of
         section 398 of the social services law relating thereto
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1. Subdivision (a) of section 249 of the family court act, as
    2  amended by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family  court  act
    3  and  the  social services law relating to procedures for destitute chil-
    4  dren in the family court,  as  proposed  in  legislative  bills  numbers
    5  A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
    6    (a) In a proceeding under article three, seven, ten, ten-A[, ten-B] or
    7  ten-C  of  this  act  or  where  a  revocation of an adoption consent is
    8  opposed under section one hundred fifteen-b of  the  domestic  relations
    9  law  or  in  any  proceeding  under section three hundred fifty-eight-a,
   10  three hundred eighty-three-c, three hundred eighty-four or three hundred
   11  eighty-four-b of the social services law or when a minor is sought to be
   12  placed in protective custody under section one  hundred  fifty-eight  of
   13  this  act  or  in  any  proceeding  where  a  minor is detained under or
   14  governed by the interstate compact for juveniles established pursuant to
   15  section five hundred one-e of the executive law, the family court  shall
   16  appoint  an  attorney  to  represent  a  minor who is the subject of the
   17  proceeding or who is sought to be placed in protective custody, if inde-
   18  pendent legal representation is not available  to  such  minor.  In  any
   19  proceeding  to extend or continue the placement of a juvenile delinquent
   20  or person in need of  supervision  pursuant  to  section  seven  hundred
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD13121-08-2
       S. 6116--A                          2
    1  fifty-six or 353.3 of this act or any proceeding to extend or continue a
    2  commitment  to  the  custody of the commissioner of mental health or the
    3  commissioner of  people  with  developmental  disabilities  pursuant  to
    4  section  322.2 of this act, the court shall not permit the respondent to
    5  waive the right to be represented by counsel chosen by  the  respondent,
    6  respondent's  parent,  or  other  person  legally  responsible  for  the
    7  respondent's care, or by assigned counsel.    IN  ANY  PROCEEDING  UNDER
    8  ARTICLE TEN-B OF THIS ACT, THE FAMILY COURT SHALL APPOINT AN ATTORNEY TO
    9  REPRESENT  A  YOUTH,  UNDER THE AGE OF TWENTY-ONE, WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF
   10  THE PROCEEDING, IF INDEPENDENT LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS NOT AVAILABLE  TO
   11  SUCH YOUTH. In any other proceeding in which the court has jurisdiction,
   12  the  court  may appoint an attorney to represent the child, when, in the
   13  opinion of the family court judge, such representation  will  serve  the
   14  purposes  of  this act, if independent legal counsel is not available to
   15  the child. The family court on its own motion may make such appointment.
   16    S 2. Paragraph (i) of subdivision (a) of section  262  of  the  family
   17  court  act,  as  amended  by  a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the
   18  family court act and the social services law relating to procedures  for
   19  destitute children in the family court, as proposed in legislative bills
   20  numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   21    (i)  the  respondent in any proceeding under article ten[, article] OR
   22  ten-A [or article ten-C] of this act and the petitioner in any  proceed-
   23  ing under part eight of article ten of this act;
   24    S  3.  Paragraph  (iv) of subdivision (a) of section 262 of the family
   25  court act, as amended by a chapter of the  laws  of  2011  amending  the
   26  family  court act and the social services law relating to procedures for
   27  destitute children in the family court, as proposed in legislative bills
   28  numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   29    (iv) the parent or [other] person legally responsible, foster  parent,
   30  or  other  person  having  physical or legal custody of the child in any
   31  proceeding under article ten[,] OR ten-A[, ten-B or ten-C] of  this  act
   32  or  section  three  hundred  fifty-eight-a, three hundred eighty-four or
   33  three hundred eighty-four-b of the social services law, and a non-custo-
   34  dial parent or grandparent served with notice pursuant to paragraph  (e)
   35  of  subdivision two of section three hundred eighty-four-a of the social
   36  services law;
   37    S 4. Subdivision (a) of section 262 of the family court act is amended
   38  by adding a new paragraph (ix) to read as follows:
   39    (IX) IN A PROCEEDING UNDER ARTICLE TEN-C OF THIS ACT:
   40    (1) A PARENT OR CARETAKER AS SUCH TERMS ARE  DEFINED  IN  SECTION  ONE
   41  THOUSAND NINETY-TWO OF THIS ACT;
   42    (2)  AN  INTERESTED ADULT AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION ONE THOU-
   43  SAND NINETY-TWO OF THIS ACT PROVIDED THAT:
   44    (A) THE CHILD ALLEGED TO BE DESTITUTE IN THE PROCEEDING HELD  PURSUANT
   45  TO  ARTICLE  TEN-C  OF THIS ACT WAS REMOVED FROM THE CARE OF SUCH INTER-
   46  ESTED ADULT;
   47    (B) THE CHILD ALLEGED TO BE DESTITUTE IN THE PROCEEDING HELD  PURSUANT
   48  TO ARTICLE TEN-C OF THIS ACT RESIDES WITH THE INTERESTED ADULT; OR
   49    (C)  THE CHILD ALLEGED TO BE DESTITUTE IN THE PROCEEDING HELD PURSUANT
   50  TO ARTICLE TEN-C OF THIS ACT RESIDED WITH SUCH  INTERESTED  ADULT  IMME-
   51  DIATELY  PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE PETITION UNDER ARTICLE TEN-C OF THIS
   52  ACT;
   53    (3) ANY INTERESTED ADULT AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION ONE  THOU-
   54  SAND  NINETY-TWO  OF  THIS ACT OR ANY PERSON MADE A PARTY TO THE ARTICLE
   55  TEN-C PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (C)  OF  SECTION  ONE  THOUSAND
   56  NINETY-FOUR  OF  THIS  ACT  FOR  WHOM THE COURT ORDERS COUNSEL APPOINTED
       S. 6116--A                          3
    1  PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION ONE THOUSAND NINETY-FOUR OF  THIS
    2  ACT.
    3    S  5.  Subdivision  (f)  of  section  1055 of the family court act, as
    4  amended by section 18 of part A of chapter 3 of the laws of 2005 and  as
    5  relettered  by  chapter  437  of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as
    6  follows:
    7    (f) If a child is placed in the custody of the local  commissioner  of
    8  social  services  or  other  officer,  board or department authorized to
    9  receive children as public charges, such person shall provide  for  such
   10  child  as  [in the case of a destitute child or as otherwise] authorized
   11  by law, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT
   12  OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
   13    S 6. Subdivision (a) of section 1092 of the family court act, as added
   14  by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family court act  and  the
   15  social services law relating to procedures for destitute children in the
   16  family  court,  as  proposed  in  legislative bills numbers A.7836-A and
   17  S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   18    (a) "destitute child" shall mean a child UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN who
   19  is [not subject to article ten of this  act,  is  without  a  parent  or
   20  person legally responsible to sufficiently care for him or her, and  is]
   21  in  a  state of want or suffering due to lack of sufficient food, cloth-
   22  ing, shelter, or medical or surgical care AND:
   23    (1) DOES NOT FIT WITHIN THE DEFINITION  OF  AN  "ABUSED  CHILD"  OR  A
   24  "NEGLECTED  CHILD"  AS  SUCH  TERMS  ARE DEFINED IN SECTION ONE THOUSAND
   25  TWELVE OF THIS ACT; AND
   26    (2) IS WITHOUT ANY PARENT OR CARETAKER AVAILABLE TO SUFFICIENTLY  CARE
   27  FOR HIM OR HER, DUE TO:
   28    (I) THE DEATH OF A PARENT OR CARETAKER; OR
   29    (II)  THE  INCAPACITY  OR DEBILITATION OF A PARENT OR CARETAKER, WHERE
   30  SUCH INCAPACITY OR DEBILITATION WOULD PREVENT SUCH PARENT  OR  CARETAKER
   31  FROM BEING ABLE TO KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ENTER INTO A WRITTEN AGREE-
   32  MENT  TO TRANSFER THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF SAID CHILD PURSUANT TO SECTION
   33  THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT-A OR THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR-A OF THE SOCIAL
   34  SERVICES LAW; OR
   35    (III) THE INABILITY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES  TO  LOCATE
   36  ANY PARENT OR CARETAKER, AFTER MAKING REASONABLE EFFORTS TO DO SO; OR
   37    (IV)  A  PARENT  OR  CARETAKER BEING PHYSICALLY LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE
   38  STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS OR HAS BEEN
   39  UNABLE TO RETURN THE CHILD TO SUCH PARENT OR CARETAKER  WHILE  OR  AFTER
   40  MAKING  REASONABLE  EFFORTS TO DO SO, UNLESS THE LACK OF SUCH EFFORTS IS
   41  OR WAS APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
   42    S 7. Subdivision (c) of section 1092 of the family court act, as added
   43  by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family court act  and  the
   44  social services law relating to procedures for destitute children in the
   45  family  court,  as  proposed  in  legislative bills numbers A.7836-A and
   46  S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   47    (c) "[person legally responsible] CARETAKER" shall mean [the custodian
   48  or guardian of the destitute child or any other  adult  responsible  for
   49  the  care of such child at the relevant time] A PERSON OR PERSONS, OTHER
   50  THAN A PARENT OF A CHILD ALLEGED OR ADJUDICATED TO BE A DESTITUTE  CHILD
   51  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  ARTICLE,  WHO POSSESSES A VALID, CURRENT COURT ORDER
   52  PROVIDING HIM OR HER WITH TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT GUARDIANSHIP OR  TEMPO-
   53  RARY OR PERMANENT CUSTODY OF SAID CHILD.
   54    S  8.  Section  1092 of the family court act, as added by a chapter of
   55  the laws of 2011 amending the family court act and the  social  services
   56  law  relating  to procedures for destitute children in the family court,
       S. 6116--A                          4
    1  as proposed in legislative  bills  numbers  A.7836-A  and  S.5694-A,  is
    2  amended by adding a new subdivision (f) to read as follows:
    3    (F)  "INTERESTED ADULT" SHALL MEAN A PERSON OR PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF
    4  EIGHTEEN, OTHER THAN A PARENT OR CARETAKER, WHO, AT  THE  RELEVANT  TIME
    5  RESIDED  WITH  AND HAD RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY CARE OF A CHILD
    6  ALLEGED OR ADJUDICATED TO BE DESTITUTE.
    7    S 9. Subdivisions (a) and (b) of section 1093 of the family court act,
    8  as added by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family court  act
    9  and  the  social services law relating to procedures for destitute chil-
   10  dren in the family court,  as  proposed  in  legislative  bills  numbers
   11  A.7836-A and S.5694-A, are amended to read as follows:
   12    (a) Filing of the petition. [A] ONLY A commissioner of social services
   13  may  originate a proceeding under this article.  A PROCEEDING UNDER THIS
   14  ARTICLE MAY BE ORIGINATED by THE filing OF a petition alleging that  the
   15  child is a destitute child as defined by section one thousand ninety-two
   16  of this article. A commissioner of social services, who accepts the care
   17  and  custody of a child appearing to be a destitute child, shall PROVIDE
   18  FOR SUCH CHILD AS AUTHORIZED  BY  LAW,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO
   19  SECTION THREE HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, AND SHALL
   20  file  a  petition  pursuant  to  this  section within fourteen days upon
   21  accepting the care and custody of such child.
   22    (b) Venue. A petition under this article shall be filed in the  family
   23  court  located in the county where the child resides or is [domiciled or
   24  where the department of social  services  is  located]  FOUND;  PROVIDED
   25  HOWEVER,  THAT  UPON  THE  MOTION  OF  ANY PARTY OR THE ATTORNEY FOR THE
   26  CHILD, THE COURT MAY TRANSFER A PETITION FILED UNDER THIS ARTICLE  TO  A
   27  COUNTY  THE  COURT DEEMS TO BE MORE APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,
   28  INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A COUNTY LOCATED  WITHIN  A  JURISDICTION
   29  WHERE THE CHILD IS DOMICILED OR HAS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT NEXUS.
   30    S  10.  Paragraphs  1  and 2 of subdivision (c) of section 1093 of the
   31  family court act, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the
   32  family court act and the social services law relating to procedures  for
   33  destitute children in the family court, as proposed in legislative bills
   34  numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, are amended to read as follows:
   35    (1) The petition shall allege upon information and belief:
   36    (i)  the  manner,  date  and circumstance under which the child became
   37  known to the petitioner;
   38    (ii) the child's date of birth, IF KNOWN;
   39    (iii) that the child is a destitute child as  defined  in  subdivision
   40  (a) of section one thousand ninety-two of this article and the basis for
   41  the allegation;
   42    (iv)  the  identity of the parent or parents of the child in question,
   43  IF KNOWN;
   44    (v) whether the parent or parents of the child are living or deceased,
   45  IF KNOWN;
   46    (vi) the whereabouts and last known address for the parent or parents,
   47  IF KNOWN;
   48    (vii) THE IDENTITY OF A CARETAKER OR INTERESTED ADULT, IF KNOWN;
   49    (VIII) the efforts, if any, which were made prior to the filing of the
   50  petition to prevent any removal of the child from the home and  if  such
   51  efforts were not made, the reasons such efforts were not made; and
   52    [(viii) if the child had been removed from home prior to the filing of
   53  the petition,]
   54    (IX)  the  efforts, if any, which were made prior to the filing of the
   55  petition to allow the child to return OR REMAIN safely home, and if such
   56  efforts were not made, the reasons such efforts were not made.
       S. 6116--A                          5
    1    (2) [Unless the parent or parents  are  deceased,  the]  THE  petition
    2  shall  contain a notice in conspicuous print providing that if the child
    3  remains in foster care for fifteen of the most recent twenty-two months,
    4  the agency may be required by  law  to  file  a  petition  to  terminate
    5  parental rights.
    6    S  11.  Subdivision  (d)  of  section 1093 of the family court act, as
    7  added by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family court act and
    8  the social services law relating to procedures for destitute children in
    9  the family court, as proposed in legislative bills numbers A.7836-A  and
   10  S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   11    (d)  Service  of summons. (1) Upon the filing of a petition under this
   12  article, if a living parent  [or  person  legally  responsible  for  the
   13  child], CARETAKER OR INTERESTED ADULT is identified in the petition, the
   14  court  shall cause a copy of the petition and a summons to be issued the
   15  same day the petition is filed, requiring such parent [or person legally
   16  responsible for the child], CARETAKER OR INTERESTED ADULT to  appear  in
   17  court  on  the  return date to answer the petition. IF THE COURT DEEMS A
   18  PERSON A PARTY TO THE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (C) OF  SECTION
   19  ONE  THOUSAND  NINETY-FOUR  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  AND IF SUCH PERSON IS NOT
   20  BEFORE THE COURT, THE COURT SHALL CAUSE A COPY OF  THE  PETITION  AND  A
   21  SUMMONS  REQUIRING  SUCH PERSON TO APPEAR IN COURT ON THE RETURN DATE BE
   22  SERVED ON SUCH PERSON.
   23    (2) Service of a summons and petition under this article shall be made
   24  by delivery of a true copy thereof to the person summoned at least twen-
   25  ty-four hours before the time stated therein for appearance.
   26    (3) The court may send process without the state in  the  same  manner
   27  and  with  the same effect as process sent within the state in the exer-
   28  cise of personal jurisdiction over any person subject to  the  jurisdic-
   29  tion  of  the court under section three hundred one or three hundred two
   30  of the civil practice law and rules, notwithstanding that such person is
   31  not a resident or domiciliary of the state.  Where service  is  effected
   32  OUTSIDE  OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK on [an out-of-state respondent and the
   33  respondent] A PARENT, CARETAKER, INTERESTED ADULT OR PERSON MADE A PARTY
   34  TO THE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (C) OF  SECTION  ONE  THOUSAND
   35  NINETY-FOUR  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  AND  SUCH  PERSON defaults by failing to
   36  appear to answer the petition, the court may on its own motion, or  upon
   37  application  of  any  party  or  the attorney for the child proceed to a
   38  hearing pursuant to section one thousand ninety-five of this article.
   39    (4) If after reasonable effort, personal  service  is  not  made,  the
   40  court  may  at  any stage in the proceedings make an order providing for
   41  substituted service in the manner provided for  substituted  service  in
   42  civil process in courts of record.
   43    S  12.  Paragraph  1  of subdivision (a) of section 1094 of the family
   44  court act, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family
   45  court act and the social services law relating to procedures for  desti-
   46  tute  children  in  the  family  court, as proposed in legislative bills
   47  numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   48    (1) appoint an attorney to represent  the  child  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
   49  SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY-NINE OF THIS ACT, and[, if entering an appear-
   50  ance  at  the initial appearance or thereafter, the parent or parents or
   51  other person or persons legally responsible;]  APPOINT  AN  ATTORNEY  TO
   52  REPRESENT  A  PARENT,  CARETAKER  OR INTERESTED ADULT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
   53  PARAGRAPH (IX) OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF SECTION TWO  HUNDRED  SIXTY-TWO  OF
   54  THIS ACT, IF HE OR SHE IS FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO OBTAIN COUNSEL;
   55    S  13. Subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph 2 of subdivision (a) of
   56  section 1094 of the family court act, as added by a chapter of the  laws
       S. 6116--A                          6
    1  of 2011 amending the family court act and the social services law relat-
    2  ing  to  procedures  for  destitute  children  in  the  family court, as
    3  proposed in legislative bills numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, are amended
    4  to read as follows:
    5    (i)  if  [a] ANY parent [or parents or other person or persons legally
    6  responsible], CARETAKER OR INTERESTED ADULT enters an appearance, deter-
    7  mine whether the child may safely remain in OR RETURN TO his or her  [or
    8  their]  home  and,  if  appropriate, order services to assist the family
    9  toward that end; PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT SUCH ORDER SHALL NOT INCLUDE THE
   10  PROVISION OF ANY SERVICE OR ASSISTANCE TO THE CHILD AND HIS OR HER FAMI-
   11  LY WHICH IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR REQUIRED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE PURSUANT  TO
   12  THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL SERVICES PROGRAM PLAN THEN IN EFFECT;
   13    (ii)  determine whether [removal] TEMPORARY CARE is necessary to avoid
   14  [imminent] risk to the child's life or health and whether  it  would  be
   15  contrary to the welfare of the child to continue in, OR RETURN TO his or
   16  her  own  home,  and,  if  so, whether the child should be placed in the
   17  temporary care and custody of a relative or other suitable person or  in
   18  the temporary care and custody of the commissioner of social services;
   19    S  14.  Clause (A) of subparagraph (iii) of paragraph 2 of subdivision
   20  (a) of section 1094 of the family court act, as added by  a  chapter  of
   21  the  laws  of 2011 amending the family court act and the social services
   22  law relating to procedures for destitute children in the  family  court,
   23  as  proposed  in  legislative  bills  numbers  A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is
   24  amended to read as follows:
   25    (A) direct the petitioner to investigate whether there are any parents
   26  [or other persons legally responsible], CARETAKERS OR INTERESTED  ADULTS
   27  not  named  in  the  petition  or  any other relatives or other suitable
   28  persons with whom the child may safely reside and,  if  so,  direct  the
   29  child to reside temporarily in their care; and
   30    S  15.  Paragraph  4  of subdivision (a) of section 1094 of the family
   31  court act, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family
   32  court act and the social services law relating to procedures for  desti-
   33  tute  children  in  the  family  court, as proposed in legislative bills
   34  numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   35    (4) determine whether reasonable efforts were made prior to the place-
   36  ment of the child into foster care to prevent or eliminate the need  for
   37  removal  of the child from his or her home, and if such efforts were not
   38  made whether the lack of such efforts were appropriate under the circum-
   39  stances; determine, where appropriate, if reasonable efforts  were  made
   40  to  make  it  possible for the child to REMAIN IN OR return safely home;
   41  and
   42    S 16. Subdivision (b) of section 1094 of  the  family  court  act,  as
   43  added by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family court act and
   44  the social services law relating to procedures for destitute children in
   45  the family court, as proposed in legislative bills numbers A. 7836-A and
   46  S.  5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   47    (b)  [Unless  there  has  been a hearing under subdivision (a) of this
   48  section at which the parent or parents and  child's  attorney  appeared,
   49  the]  (1)  ANY  parent [or parents of the child] OR CARETAKER, OR INTER-
   50  ESTED ADULT FROM WHOSE CARE THE CHILD HAS BEEN REMOVED, or  the  child's
   51  attorney may request a hearing to determine whether a child who has been
   52  removed  from  his  or  her  home should be returned and, if so, whether
   53  services should be ordered to facilitate such return; PROVIDED  HOWEVER,
   54  THAT  SUCH  ORDER  SHALL  NOT  INCLUDE  THE  PROVISION OF ANY SERVICE OR
   55  ASSISTANCE TO THE CHILD AND HIS OR HER FAMILY WHICH IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR
   56  REQUIRED TO BE MADE  AVAILABLE  PURSUANT  TO  THE  COMPREHENSIVE  ANNUAL
       S. 6116--A                          7
    1  SERVICES  PROGRAM  PLAN THEN IN EFFECT. Except for good cause shown, the
    2  hearing shall be held within three court days of the request  and  shall
    3  not  be  adjourned.  The court shall grant the application for return of
    4  the  child  unless it finds that the return presents an imminent risk to
    5  the child's life or health.  If imminent risk to the child is found, the
    6  court may make orders in accordance with paragraph  two  of  subdivision
    7  (a)  of  this  section,  including,  but  not limited to, directions for
    8  investigations of relatives or other  suitable  persons  with  whom  the
    9  child may safely reside.
   10    (2) IN DETERMINING WHETHER TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF THE CHILD IS NECESSARY
   11  TO  AVOID  IMMINENT  RISK TO THE CHILD'S LIFE OR HEALTH, THE COURT SHALL
   12  CONSIDER AND DETERMINE IN ITS ORDER WHETHER CONTINUATION IN THE  CHILD'S
   13  HOME  WOULD  BE  CONTRARY  TO  THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD AND WHERE
   14  APPROPRIATE, WHETHER REASONABLE EFFORTS WERE MADE PRIOR TO THE  DATE  OF
   15  THE  HEARING  TO  PREVENT OR ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR REMOVAL OF THE CHILD
   16  FROM THE HOME AND WHERE APPROPRIATE,  WHETHER  REASONABLE  EFFORTS  WERE
   17  MADE  AFTER  REMOVAL  OF  THE CHILD TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILD TO
   18  SAFELY RETURN HOME.
   19    (3) IF THE COURT DETERMINES THAT  REASONABLE  EFFORTS  TO  PREVENT  OR
   20  ELIMINATE  THE NEED FOR REMOVAL OF THE CHILD FROM THE HOME WERE NOT MADE
   21  BUT THAT THE LACK OF SUCH EFFORTS  WAS  APPROPRIATE  UNDER  THE  CIRCUM-
   22  STANCES,  THE COURT ORDER SHALL INCLUDE SUCH A FINDING AND THE BASIS FOR
   23  SUCH FINDING.
   24    (4) IF THE COURT DETERMINES THAT REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ALLOW  A  CHILD
   25  TO  SAFELY  RETURN  HOME  WERE NOT MADE SUBSEQUENT TO THE REMOVAL OF THE
   26  CHILD BUT THAT THE LACK  OF  SUCH  EFFORTS  WAS  APPROPRIATE  UNDER  THE
   27  CIRCUMSTANCES,  THE  COURT  ORDER  SHALL  INCLUDE SUCH A FINDING AND THE
   28  BASIS FOR SUCH FINDING.
   29    S 17. Section 1094 of the family court act, as added by a  chapter  of
   30  the  laws  of 2011 amending the family court act and the social services
   31  law relating to procedures for destitute children in the  family  court,
   32  as  proposed  in  legislative  bills  numbers  A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is
   33  amended by adding two new subdivisions (c) and (d) to read as follows:
   34    (C) (1) THE COURT MAY UPON ITS OWN MOTION OR THE MOTION OF ANY PERSON,
   35  DEEM A PERSON NOT NAMED IN THE PETITION WHO HAS A SIGNIFICANT CONNECTION
   36  TO THE CHILD ALLEGED TO BE DESTITUTE, A PARTY TO THE PROCEEDING, IF SUCH
   37  PERSON CONSENTS TO BEING ADDED AS A PARTY, AND SUCH ACTION IS  APPROPRI-
   38  ATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
   39    (2)  IF  THE COURT DEEMS A PERSON A PARTY PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (I) OF
   40  THIS SUBDIVISION AND SUCH PERSON IS NOT  BEFORE  THE  COURT,  THE  COURT
   41  SHALL  CAUSE  A COPY OF THE PETITION AND A SUMMONS REQUIRING SUCH PERSON
   42  TO APPEAR IN COURT ON THE RETURN  DATE  BE  SERVED  ON  SUCH  PERSON  IN
   43  ACCORDANCE  WITH SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION ONE THOUSAND NINETY-THREE OF
   44  THIS ARTICLE.
   45    (D) THE COURT MAY, IF IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE,  APPOINT  COUNSEL  FOR  AN
   46  INTERESTED  ADULT  OR  ANOTHER PERSON NAMED AS A PARTY TO THE PROCEEDING
   47  PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (C) OF THIS SECTION, IF SUCH ADULT OR PERSON  IS
   48  FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO OBTAIN COUNSEL.
   49    S 18. Subdivision (a) of section 1095 of the family court act as added
   50  by  a  chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family court act and the
   51  social services law relating to procedures for destitute children in the
   52  family court, as proposed in  legislative  bills  numbers  A.7836-A  and
   53  S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   54    (a) No fact finding hearing may commence under this article unless the
   55  court enters a finding[:
       S. 6116--A                          8
    1    (1)]  that  [the  parent or parents or other person or persons legally
    2  responsible for the child's care is or] ALL PARTIES are present  at  the
    3  hearing and [has or] have been served with a copy of the petition[; or
    4    (2)], PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT if [the parent or parents or other person
    5  or  persons  legally responsible for the care of the child] ANY PARTY is
    6  or are living but are not present, that THE COURT MAY PROCEED  IF  every
    7  reasonable  effort has been made to effect service under subdivision (d)
    8  of section one thousand ninety-three of this article.
    9    S 19. Subdivisions (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of section 1095  of
   10  the family court act, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending
   11  the  family court act and the social services law relating to procedures
   12  for destitute children in the family court, as proposed  in  legislative
   13  bills numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, are amended to read as follows:
   14    (b)  The  court  shall  sustain the petition and make a finding that a
   15  child is destitute if, based upon a preponderance of competent, material
   16  and relevant evidence presented, the court finds that  the  child  meets
   17  the  definition  of a destitute child as described in subdivision (a) of
   18  section one thousand ninety-two of this article. IF THE PROOF  DOES  NOT
   19  CONFORM TO THE SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF THE PETITION, THE COURT MAY AMEND
   20  THE  ALLEGATIONS  TO  CONFORM  TO  THE PROOF IF NO PARTY OBJECTS TO SUCH
   21  CONFORMATION.
   22    (c) If the court finds that the child does not meet such definition of
   23  a destitute child or that the aid of the  court  is  not  required,  the
   24  court  shall dismiss the petition, AND IF APPLICABLE, RETURN A CHILD WHO
   25  WAS PLACED IN THE TEMPORARY CARE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL  SERVICES
   26  TO ANY PARENT, CARETAKER OR INTERESTED ADULT; provided, however, that if
   27  the  court finds that the child may be in need of protection under arti-
   28  cle ten of this act, the court may request the  commissioner  of  social
   29  services  to conduct a child protective investigation in accordance with
   30  subdivision one of section one thousand thirty-four  of  this  act.  The
   31  court shall state the grounds for any finding under this subdivision.
   32    (d)  If the court sustains the petition pursuant to subdivision (b) of
   33  this section, it may immediately convene a dispositional hearing or  may
   34  adjourn  the proceeding for further inquiries to be made prior to dispo-
   35  sition PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT IF A PETITION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE  SIX  OF
   36  THIS  ACT HAS BEEN FILED BY A PERSON OR PERSONS SEEKING CUSTODY OR GUAR-
   37  DIANSHIP OF THE CHILD, OR IF A PETITION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF
   38  THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT SEEKING GUARDIANSHIP  OF  THE  CHILD
   39  HAS  BEEN  FILED,  THE COURT SHALL CONSOLIDATE THE DISPOSITIONAL HEARING
   40  WITH A HEARING UNDER SECTION ONE THOUSAND NINETY-SIX  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,
   41  UNLESS  CONSOLIDATION  WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
   42  IF THE COURT DOES NOT  CONSOLIDATE  SUCH  DISPOSITIONAL  PROCEEDINGS  IT
   43  SHALL  HOLD  THE  DISPOSITIONAL  HEARING  UNDER THIS SECTION IN ABEYANCE
   44  PENDING THE DISPOSITION OF THE PETITION FILED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX OF
   45  THIS ACT OR ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF THE SURROGATE'S  COURT  PROCEDURE  ACT.
   46  Based upon material and relevant evidence presented at the dispositional
   47  hearing,  the  court  shall  enter  an  order of disposition stating the
   48  grounds for its order and directing one of the following alternatives:
   49    (1) [releasing the child to his or her  parent  or  parents  or  other
   50  person or persons legally responsible;
   51    (2)]  placing the child in the care and custody of the commissioner of
   52  social services;
   53    [(3) placing the child in the care and custody of relatives  or  suit-
   54  able persons;] or
   55    [(4)] (2) granting an order of custody or guardianship to relatives or
   56  suitable persons pursuant to a petition under article six of this act OR
       S. 6116--A                          9
    1  GUARDIANSHIP OF THE CHILD TO A RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON UNDER ARTICLE
    2  SEVENTEEN  OF THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT and in accordance with
    3  [the findings required by section one thousand fifty-five-b of this act]
    4  SECTION ONE THOUSAND NINETY-SIX OF THIS ARTICLE.
    5    (e) If the child has been placed pursuant to [paragraphs two or three]
    6  PARAGRAPH  ONE  of  subdivision  (d)  of  this  section, the court shall
    7  include the following in its order:
    8    (1) a date certain for the permanency hearing in accordance with para-
    9  graph two of subdivision (a) of section one thousand eighty-nine of this
   10  [article] ACT;
   11    (2) [unless the child's parent or parents are deceased,] a description
   12  of the plan for the child to visit with his or  her  parent  or  parents
   13  unless contrary to the child's best interests;
   14    (3) a direction that the child be placed together with or, at minimum,
   15  to  visit  and  have regular communication with, his or her siblings, if
   16  any, unless contrary to the best  interests  of  the  child  and/or  the
   17  siblings;
   18    (4)  [unless  the child's parent or parents are deceased,] a direction
   19  that the child's parent or parents be notified of any  planning  confer-
   20  ences  to  be held pursuant to subdivision three of section four hundred
   21  nine-e of the social services law, of their right to attend such confer-
   22  ences and to have counsel or another representative  or  companion  with
   23  them;
   24    (5)  if  the  child is or will be fourteen or older by the date of the
   25  permanency hearing, the services and assistance that may be necessary to
   26  assist the child in learning independent living skills; and
   27    (6) [unless the child's parent or  parents  are  deceased,]  a  notice
   28  that, if the child remains in foster care for fifteen of the most recent
   29  twenty-two  months, the agency may be required by law to file a petition
   30  to terminate parental rights.
   31    (f) If the child has been placed pursuant to paragraph [two or  three]
   32  ONE  of subdivision (d) of this section, the provisions of part eight of
   33  article ten of this act shall be applicable.
   34    (g) If the court makes an order pursuant to  paragraph  one[,  two  or
   35  three]  of  subdivision  (d)  of  this  section, the court may include a
   36  direction for the commissioner of social services to provide or  arrange
   37  for  services  or assistance, LIMITED TO THOSE authorized OR REQUIRED to
   38  be made available under the comprehensive annual services  program  plan
   39  then  in  effect, to ameliorate the conditions that formed the basis for
   40  the fact-finding under this section and, if the child has been  [removed
   41  from  home] PLACED IN THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
   42  SERVICES, to facilitate [return of the  child]  THE  CHILD'S  PERMANENCY
   43  PLAN.
   44    S  20. The family court act is amended by adding a new section 1096 to
   45  read as follows:
   46    S 1096. CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP WITH  RELATIVES  OR  SUITABLE  PERSONS
   47  PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE SIX OF THIS ACT OR ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF THE SURRO-
   48  GATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT. (A) AT THE  CONCLUSION  OF  A  HEARING  HELD
   49  PURSUANT  TO SECTION ONE THOUSAND NINETY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE, THE COURT
   50  MAY ENTER AN ORDER OF DISPOSITION GRANTING CUSTODY  OR  GUARDIANSHIP  OF
   51  THE CHILD TO A RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON UNDER ARTICLE SIX OF THIS ACT
   52  OR  GUARDIANSHIP  OF  THE  CHILD  TO A RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON UNDER
   53  ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT IF:
   54    (1) THE RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON HAS FILED A PETITION  FOR  CUSTODY
   55  OR  GUARDIANSHIP  OF  THE  CHILD  PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX OF THIS ACT OR
       S. 6116--A                         10
    1  GUARDIANSHIP OF THE CHILD PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVENTEEN  OF  THE  SURRO-
    2  GATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT; AND
    3    (2) THE COURT FINDS THAT GRANTING CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP OF THE CHILD
    4  TO  THE  RELATIVE  OR  SUITABLE  PERSON  IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE
    5  CHILD; AND
    6    (3) THE COURT FINDS THAT GRANTING CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP OF THE CHILD
    7  TO THE RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON UNDER ARTICLE  SIX  OF  THIS  ACT  OR
    8  GUARDIANSHIP OF THE CHILD TO A RELATIVE OR SUITABLE PERSON UNDER ARTICLE
    9  SEVENTEEN  OF THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT WILL PROVIDE THE CHILD
   10  WITH A SAFE AND PERMANENT HOME; AND
   11    (4) ALL PARTIES TO THE  DESTITUTE  CHILD  PROCEEDING  CONSENT  TO  THE
   12  GRANTING  OF  CUSTODY  OR  GUARDIANSHIP UNDER ARTICLE SIX OF THIS ACT OR
   13  ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT; OR
   14    (5) AFTER A CONSOLIDATED FACT FINDING AND DISPOSITIONAL HEARING ON THE
   15  DESTITUTE CHILD PETITION AND THE PETITION UNDER ARTICLE SIX OF THIS  ACT
   16  OR ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT:
   17    (I)  IF A PARENT OR PARENTS FAIL TO CONSENT TO THE GRANTING OF CUSTODY
   18  OR GUARDIANSHIP UNDER ARTICLE SIX OF  THIS  ACT  OR  GUARDIANSHIP  UNDER
   19  ARTICLE  SEVENTEEN  OF  THE  SURROGATE'S  COURT PROCEDURE ACT, THE COURT
   20  FINDS THAT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST THAT  SUPPORT  GRANTING  AN
   21  ORDER  OF CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP UNDER ARTICLE SIX OF THIS ACT OR GUAR-
   22  DIANSHIP UNDER ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT;
   23  OR
   24    (II) IF THE PARENT OR PARENTS CONSENT AND A PARTY OTHER THAN A  PARENT
   25  FAILS  TO CONSENT TO THE GRANTING OF CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP UNDER ARTI-
   26  CLE SIX OF THIS ACT OR  GUARDIANSHIP  UNDER  ARTICLE  SEVENTEEN  OF  THE
   27  SURROGATE'S  COURT  PROCEDURE ACT, THE COURT FINDS THAT GRANTING CUSTODY
   28  OR GUARDIANSHIP OF THE CHILD TO THE RELATIVE OR SUITABLE  PERSON  IS  IN
   29  THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD.
   30    (B)  AN  ORDER  MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
   31  SHALL SET FORTH THE REQUIRED FINDINGS AS DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION (A) OF
   32  THIS SECTION AND SHALL CONSTITUTE THE FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE DESTITUTE
   33  CHILD PROCEEDING. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE  COURT
   34  SHALL  NOT  ISSUE  AN ORDER OF SUPERVISION NOR MAY THE COURT REQUIRE THE
   35  LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO  THE  PARENT,
   36  PARENTS,  CARETAKER OR INTERESTED ADULT WHEN GRANTING CUSTODY OR GUARDI-
   37  ANSHIP PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX OF THIS ACT OR GUARDIANSHIP UNDER ARTICLE
   38  SEVENTEEN OF THE SURROGATE'S COURT PROCEDURE ACT UNDER THIS SECTION.
   39    (C) AS PART OF THE ORDER GRANTING CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP PURSUANT  TO
   40  ARTICLE SIX OF THIS ACT OR GUARDIANSHIP PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVENTEEN OF
   41  THE  SURROGATE'S  COURT  PROCEDURE  ACT,  THE COURT MAY REQUIRE THAT THE
   42  LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES  AND  THE  ATTORNEY  FOR  THE  CHILD
   43  RECEIVE  NOTICE  OF  AND BE MADE PARTIES TO ANY SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDING TO
   44  MODIFY SUCH ORDER OF CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP.
   45    (D) AN ORDER ENTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS  SECTION  SHALL  CONCLUDE
   46  THE COURT'S JURISDICTION OVER THE PROCEEDING HELD PURSUANT TO THIS ARTI-
   47  CLE  AND  THE COURT SHALL NOT MAINTAIN JURISDICTION OVER THE PARTIES FOR
   48  THE PURPOSES OF PERMANENCY HEARINGS HELD PURSUANT TO  ARTICLE  TEN-A  OF
   49  THIS ACT.
   50    S  21.  Subdivision  3  of  section 371 of the social services law, as
   51  amended by chapter 722 of the laws of 1978, paragraph (d) as amended and
   52  paragraph (e) as added by chapter 342 of the laws of 2010, is amended to
   53  read as follows:
   54    3. "Destitute child" means [a child who, through  no  neglect  on  the
   55  part of its parent, guardian or custodian, is]:
   56    (a) [destitute or homeless, or
       S. 6116--A                         11
    1    (b)]  A  CHILD  UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN WHO IS in a state of want or
    2  suffering due to lack of sufficient food,  clothing,  [or]  shelter,  or
    3  medical or surgical care[, or]; AND:
    4    (I)  DOES  NOT  FIT  WITHIN  THE  DEFINITION OF AN "ABUSED CHILD" OR A
    5  "NEGLECTED CHILD" AS SUCH TERMS ARE  DEFINED  IN  SECTION  ONE  THOUSAND
    6  TWELVE OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT; AND
    7    (II)  IS  WITHOUT  ANY  PARENT OR CARETAKER AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN
    8  SECTION ONE THOUSAND NINETY-TWO OF THE FAMILY COURT  ACT,  AVAILABLE  TO
    9  SUFFICIENTLY CARE FOR HIM OR HER, DUE TO:
   10    (A) THE DEATH OF A PARENT OR CARETAKER; OR
   11    (B)  THE  INCAPACITY  OR  DEBILITATION OF A PARENT OR CARETAKER, WHERE
   12  SUCH INCAPACITY OR DEBILITATION WOULD PREVENT SUCH PARENT  OR  CARETAKER
   13  FROM BEING ABLE TO KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ENTER INTO A WRITTEN AGREE-
   14  MENT  TO TRANSFER THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF SAID CHILD PURSUANT TO SECTION
   15  THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT-A OR THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR-A OF THE SOCIAL
   16  SERVICES LAW; OR
   17    (C) THE INABILITY OF THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT TO LOCATE  ANY
   18  PARENT OR CARETAKER, AFTER MAKING REASONABLE EFFORTS TO DO SO; OR
   19    (D)  THE  PARENT  OR CARETAKER BEING PHYSICALLY LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE
   20  STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT IS OR HAS  BEEN
   21  UNABLE  TO  RETURN SAID CHILD TO SUCH PARENT OR CARETAKER WHILE OR AFTER
   22  MAKING REASONABLE EFFORTS TO DO SO, UNLESS THE LACK OF SUCH  EFFORTS  IS
   23  OR WAS APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES;
   24    [(c)] (B) a [person] CHILD WHO IS under the age of eighteen years [who
   25  is]  AND  absent  from his OR HER legal residence without the consent of
   26  his OR HER parent, legal guardian or custodian[,]; or
   27    [(d)] (C) a [person] CHILD under the age of eighteen who is without  a
   28  place  of shelter where supervision and care are available[,] WHO IS NOT
   29  OTHERWISE COVERED UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION; or
   30    [(e)] (D) A PERSON WHO IS a former foster care youth under the age  of
   31  twenty-one  who was previously placed in the care and custody or custody
   32  and guardianship of the local commissioner of social services  or  other
   33  officer,  board  or  department authorized to receive children as public
   34  charges, and who was discharged from foster care due  to  a  failure  to
   35  consent  to  continuation  in placement, who has returned to foster care
   36  pursuant to section one thousand ninety-one of the family court act.
   37    S 22. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 3 of section 384-b  of  the  social
   38  services  law,  as amended by chapter 41 of the laws of 2010, is amended
   39  to read as follows:
   40    (c) Where a child was placed or continued in foster care  pursuant  to
   41  article  ten  [or],  ten-A  OR  TEN-C of the family court act or section
   42  three hundred fifty-eight-a of this chapter,  a  proceeding  under  this
   43  section  shall  be originated in the family court in the county in which
   44  the proceeding pursuant to article ten [or], ten-A OR TEN-C of the fami-
   45  ly court act or section three hundred fifty-eight-a of this chapter  was
   46  last heard and shall be assigned, wherever practicable, to the judge who
   47  last  heard  such  proceeding.  Where multiple proceedings are commenced
   48  under this section concerning a child and one or more siblings or  half-
   49  siblings of such child, placed or continued in foster care with the same
   50  commissioner pursuant to section one thousand fifty-five [or], one thou-
   51  sand  eighty-nine  OR  ONE THOUSAND NINETY-FIVE of the family court act,
   52  all of such proceedings may be commenced jointly in the family court  in
   53  any  county  which last heard a proceeding under article ten [or], ten-A
   54  OR TEN-C of the family court act regarding any of the children  who  are
   55  the  subjects  of the proceedings under this section. In such instances,
   56  the case shall be assigned, wherever practicable, to the judge who  last
       S. 6116--A                         12
    1  presided  over  such  proceeding.  In any other case, a proceeding under
    2  this section, including a proceeding brought in the  surrogate's  court,
    3  shall  be  originated  in  the county where either of the parents of the
    4  child reside at the time of the filing of the petition, if known, or, if
    5  such residence is not known, in the county in which the authorized agen-
    6  cy  has  an  office  for the regular conduct of business or in which the
    7  child resides at the time of the initiation of the  proceeding.  To  the
    8  extent  possible,  the  court shall, when appointing an attorney for the
    9  child, appoint an attorney who has previously represented the child.
   10    S 23. Subdivision 1 of section 398 of  the  social  services  law,  as
   11  amended  by  a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family court act
   12  and the social services law relating to procedures for  destitute  chil-
   13  dren  in  the  family  court,  as  proposed in legislative bills numbers
   14  A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   15    1. As to destitute children: [Assume charge of and  provide  care  and
   16  support  for any destitute child who cannot be properly cared for in his
   17  or her home, and if it is necessary for the commissioner to take custody
   18  of the child, file a petition pursuant to section one  thousand  ninety-
   19  three of the family court act]
   20    (A)  OFFER PREVENTIVE SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
   21  NINE-A OF  THIS  ARTICLE  WHEN  NECESSARY  TO  AVERT  AN  IMPAIRMENT  OR
   22  DISRUPTION  OF A FAMILY WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD
   23  IN FOSTER CARE;
   24    (B) REPORT TO THE LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCY AND TO  THE  STATEWIDE
   25  CENTRAL  REGISTER  FOR  MISSING  CHILDREN  AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION EIGHT
   26  HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN-E OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW SUCH RELEVANT INFORMATION AS
   27  REQUIRED ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER  OF  THE  DIVISION  OF
   28  CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, IN APPROPRIATE INSTANCES; AND
   29    (C) ASSUME CHARGE OF AND PROVIDE CARE AND SUPPORT FOR ANY CHILD WHO IS
   30  A  DESTITUTE  CHILD  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF
   31  SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE OF THIS ARTICLE WHO CANNOT BE PROPERLY
   32  CARED FOR IN HIS OR HER HOME, AND IF REQUIRED, PETITION THE FAMILY COURT
   33  TO OBTAIN CUSTODY OF THE CHILD IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE TEN-C  OF  THE
   34  FAMILY COURT ACT.
   35    S  24. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph (g) of subdivision 6 of section 398
   36  of the social services law, as amended by chapter 169  of  the  laws  of
   37  1994, is amended to read as follows:
   38    (1)  Place children IN ITS CARE AND CUSTODY OR ITS CUSTODY AND GUARDI-
   39  ANSHIP, in suitable instances, in family homes,  agency  boarding  homes
   40  [or],  group  homes or institutions under the proper safeguards[,]. SUCH
   41  PLACEMENTS CAN BE MADE either directly, or through an authorized agency,
   42  except that, direct placements in agency boarding homes or  group  homes
   43  may  be  made  by  the  social  services [official] DISTRICT only if the
   44  [department shall have] OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY  SERVICES  HAS
   45  authorized [him or her] THE DISTRICT to operate such homes in accordance
   46  with  the  provisions  of  section  three hundred seventy-four-b of this
   47  chapter and only if suitable care is not otherwise available through  an
   48  authorized  agency  under  the  control of persons of the same religious
   49  faith as the child. Where such [official] DISTRICT places a child in  an
   50  agency  boarding  home,  group  home or institution, either directly, or
   51  through an authorized agency, the [official] DISTRICT shall  certify  in
   52  writing to the [department] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, that
   53  such placement was made because it offers the most appropriate and least
   54  restrictive level of care FOR THE CHILD, and, is more appropriate than a
   55  family  foster  home  placement,  or,  that  such placement is necessary
   56  because there are no qualified foster families available [to] WITHIN the
       S. 6116--A                         13
    1  district WHO CAN CARE FOR THE CHILD. If [the number  of]  placements  in
    2  agency  boarding  homes,  group  homes or institutions [because] ARE THE
    3  RESULT of a lack of foster parents [so warrants in any] WITHIN A PARTIC-
    4  ULAR  district,  the [department] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
    5  shall assist such district to recruit and train foster parents.   Place-
    6  ments  shall  be  made only in institutions [located in this state or in
    7  such institutions located in an adjoining state as are maintained  by  a
    8  corporation  organized under the laws of this state and having authority
    9  to maintain an institution for the care of children. However, all place-
   10  ments shall be made in institutions] visited, inspected  and  supervised
   11  in  accordance  with  title  three  of article seven of this chapter and
   12  conducted in conformity with the applicable regulations of the supervis-
   13  ing state agency in accordance with title three of article seven of this
   14  chapter. With the approval of the [department] OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND
   15  FAMILY  SERVICES,  a  social  services district may place a child in its
   16  care and custody or its custody and guardianship in a  federally  funded
   17  job  corps  program and may receive reimbursement for the approved costs
   18  of appropriate program administration and supervision pursuant to a plan
   19  developed by the department and approved by the director of the budget.
   20    S 25. Paragraph (i) of subdivision 6 of  section  398  of  the  social
   21  services law is REPEALED.
   22    S  26. Section 398-e of the social services law, as amended by chapter
   23  584 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
   24    S 398-e. Eligibility for protective services,  FOSTER  CARE  SERVICES,
   25  and  residential  services  for  victims of domestic violence. An alien,
   26  including a non-qualified alien, as  determined  by  applicable  federal
   27  statute  and  regulation, is eligible for protective services for adults
   28  and children, FOSTER CARE SERVICES, and residential services for victims
   29  of domestic violence, to the extent such person  is  otherwise  eligible
   30  pursuant  to  this chapter and the regulations of the office of children
   31  and family services and the office of temporary and  disability  assist-
   32  ance.
   33    S  27. Section 12 of a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending the family
   34  court act and the social services law relating to procedures for  desti-
   35  tute  children  in  the  family  court, as proposed in legislative bills
   36  numbers A.7836-A and S.5694-A, is amended to read as follows:
   37    S 12. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however,  that
   38  [local  commissioners of social services shall file petitions under this
   39  act within ninety days of such effective date for any destitute child in
   40  their care and custody on such effective date; and]:
   41    (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THIS  ACT  SHALL  TAKE
   42  EFFECT  UPON  THE APPROVAL BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
   43  HUMAN SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH  AND  FAMILIES  OF  A
   44  TITLE  IV-E STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO ADD DESTITUTE CHILDREN, SUBMITTED BY
   45  THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES;
   46    (B) PROVIDED THAT THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY  SERVICES  SHALL
   47  NOTIFY  THE  LEGISLATIVE BILL DRAFTING COMMISSION UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF
   48  THE SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION IN ORDER THAT  THE
   49  COMMISSION  MAY  MAINTAIN  AN ACCURATE AND TIMELY EFFECTIVE DATA BASE OF
   50  THE OFFICIAL TEXT OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN FURTHERANCE OF
   51  EFFECTUATING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 44 OF  THE  LEGISLATIVE  LAW  AND
   52  SECTION 70-B OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW;
   53    (C)  provided  further,  that  the  amendments  to  subdivision (a) of
   54  section 249 of the family court act made by  section  two  of  this  act
   55  shall  survive  the  expiration  and  reversion  of  such subdivision as
   56  provided in section 8 of chapter 29 of the laws of 2011, as amended.
       S. 6116--A                         14
    1    S 28. Section 3 of a chapter of the laws of 2011 amending  the  social
    2  services  law  relating  to  kinship  guardian  assistance  payments  as
    3  proposed in legislative bills numbers A.8339 and S.5745, is  amended  to
    4  read as follows:
    5    S  3.  This act shall take effect immediately[; provided that sections
    6  one and two of this act shall take effect on the same date  and  in  the
    7  same  manner as a chapter of the laws of 2011, amending the family court
    8  act and the social services law relating  to  procedures  for  destitute
    9  children  in  the  family  court  as proposed in legislative bill number
   10  A.7836A takes effect; provided however if section 4 of part F of chapter
   11  58 of the laws of 2010 shall not have taken effect on or before legisla-
   12  tive bill number A.7836A takes effect, then sections one and two of this
   13  act shall take effect on the same date and in the same  manner  as  such
   14  chapter of the laws of 2010 takes effect; and]:
   15    (A) PROVIDED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, SECTIONS
   16  ONE  AND  TWO  OF  THIS  ACT  SHALL TAKE EFFECT UPON THE APPROVAL BY THE
   17  UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND  HUMAN  SERVICES,  ADMINISTRATION
   18  FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES OF A TITLE IV-E STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO
   19  ADD  DESTITUTE  CHILDREN, SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
   20  SERVICES;
   21    (B) PROVIDED THAT THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY  SERVICES  SHALL
   22  NOTIFY  THE  LEGISLATIVE BILL DRAFTING COMMISSION UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF
   23  THE SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL SET FORTH IN THIS  SECTION  AND  WHETHER  IN
   24  ORDER  THAT THE COMMISSION MAY MAINTAIN AN ACCURATE AND TIMELY EFFECTIVE
   25  DATE BASE OF THE OFFICIAL TEXT OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW  YORK  IN
   26  FURTHERANCE OF EFFECTUATING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 44 OF THE LEGISLA-
   27  TIVE LAW AND SECTION 70-B OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW;
   28    (C)  provided[,]  further,  that  effective immediately, the addition,
   29  amendment and/or repeal of any rule  or  regulation  necessary  for  the
   30  implementation  of  this  act  on  its effective date are authorized and
   31  directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
   32    S 29. This act shall take effect immediately provided that:
   33    (a) notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary sections  one
   34  through  twenty-six  of  this act shall take effect upon the approval by
   35  the United States Department of  Health  and  Human  Services,  Adminis-
   36  tration  for  Children,  Youth  and  Families of a title IV-E state plan
   37  amendment to add destitute children, submitted by the office of children
   38  and family services, the office of children and  family  services  shall
   39  notify  the  legislative bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of
   40  the submission and approval set forth in this section in order that  the
   41  commission  may  maintain  an accurate and timely effective data base of
   42  the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of
   43  effectuating the provisions of section 44 of  the  legislative  law  and
   44  section 70-b of the public officers law;
   45    (b)  effective  immediately,  the addition, amendment and/or repeal of
   46  any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this  act  on
   47  its  effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed
   48  on or before such effective date; and
   49    (c) the amendments to subdivision (a) of section  249  of  the  family
   50  court  act  made by section one of this act shall survive the expiration
   51  and reversion of such subdivision as provided in section 8 of chapter 29
   52  of the laws of 2011, as amended.
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