Conn. Practice Book § 35a-13 (2026)

Sec. 35a-13. Findings as to Continuation in the Home, Efforts To Prevent Removal Whenever the judicial authority orders a child or youth to be removed from the home, the judicial authority shall make written findings: (1) at the time of the order that continuation in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child or youth; and (2) at the time of the order or within sixty days after the child or youth has been removed from the home, whether the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families has made reasonable efforts to prevent removal or whether such efforts were not possible. (Adopted June 24, 2002, to take effect Jan. 1, 2003; amended June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009.) Sec. 35a-14. Motions for Review of Perma- nency Plan (Amended June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009.) (a) Motions for review of the permanency plan shall be filed nine months after the placement of the child or youth in the custody of the Commis- sioner of the Department of Children and Families 373 pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement, or removal of a child or youth pursuant to General Statutes § 17a-101g or an order of a court of com- petent jurisdiction, whichever is earlier. At the date custody is vested by order of a court of compe- tent jurisdiction, or if no order of temporary cus- tody is issued, at the date when commitment is ordered, the judicial authority shall set a date by which the subsequent motion for review of the permanency plan shall be filed. The Commis- sioner of the Department of Children and Families shall propose a permanency plan that conforms to the statutory requirements and shall provide a social study to support said plan. Nothing in this section shall preclude any party from filing a motion for revocation of commitment separate from a motion for review of permanency plan pur- suant to General Statutes § 46b-129 (m) and sub- ject to Section 35a-14A. (b) At the time of the filing of a motion for review of permanency plan pursuant to subsection (a), the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families shall also request a finding that it has made reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the existing plan. The social study filed pursuant to subsection (a) shall include information indicat- ing what efforts the commissioner has taken to achieve the goal of the existing plan. (c) Once a motion for review of the permanency plan and requested findings regarding efforts to achieve the goal of the existing plan have been filed, the clerk of the court shall set a hearing not later than ninety days thereafter. The judicial authority shall provide notice to the child or youth, and the parent or guardian of such child or youth and any other party found entitled to such notice of the time and place of the court hearing on any such motion not less than fourteen days prior to such hearing. Any party who is in opposition to any such motion shall file a written objection and state with specificity the reasons therefor within thirty days after the filing of the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families’ motion for review of permanency plan and the objection shall be considered at the hearing. The judicial authority shall hold an evidentiary hearing in con- nection with any contested motion for review of the permanency plan. If there is no objection or motion for revocation filed, then the motion may be granted by the judicial authority at the date of said hearing. (d) Whether to approve the permanency plan and to find that reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the existing plan have been made are dispositional questions, based on the prior adjudi- cation, and the judicial authority shall determine whether it is in the best interests of the child or © Copyrighted by the Secretary of the State of the State of Connecticut

SUPERIOR COURT—PROCEDURE IN JUVENILE MATTERS