Conn. Practice Book § 32a-9 (2026)

Sec. 32a-9. Competency of Parent (a) In any proceeding for the termination of parental rights, either upon its own motion or a motion of any party alleging specific factual allega- tions of mental impairment that raise a reasonable doubt about the parent’s competency, the judicial authority shall appoint an evaluator who is an expert in mental illness to assess such parent’s competency; the judicial authority shall thereafter conduct a competency hearing within ten days of receipt of the evaluator’s report. (b) At a competency hearing held under subsec- tion (a), the judicial authority shall determine whether the parent is incompetent and if so, whether competency may be restored within a reasonable time, considering the age and needs of the child or youth, including the possible adverse impact of delay in the proceedings. If competency may be restored within a reasonable time, the judicial authority shall stay proceedings and shall issue specific steps the parent shall take to have competency restored. If competency may not be restored within a reasonable time, the judi- cial authority may make reasonable accommoda- tions to assist the parent and his or her attorney in the defense of the case, including the appoint- ment of a guardian ad litem if one has not already been provided. (Adopted June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009.) © Copyrighted by the Secretary of the State of the State of Connecticut

SUPERIOR COURT—PROCEDURE IN JUVENILE MATTERS Sec. 33-1 CHAPTER 33 HEARINGS CONCERNING NEGLECTED, UNCARED FOR AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS [Repealed as of Jan. 1, 2003.] Sec. Sec. 33-1. Adjudicatory Hearing; Actions by Judicial Author- ity [Repealed] 33-2. —Continuance for Case Status Conference [Repealed] 33-3. —Evidence [Repealed] 33-4. —Burden of Proceeding [Repealed] 33-5. Dispositional Hearing; Evidence and Social Study [Repealed] 33-6. —Availability of Social Study to Counsel and Par- ties [Repealed] For previous Histories and Commentaries see the editions of the Practice Book corresponding to the years of the previous amendments.