Conn. Practice Book § 35a-14 (2026)

Sec. 35a-14 youth to approve the permanency plan and to find that reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the existing plan have been made upon a fair prepon- derance of the evidence. The Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families shall have the burden of proving that the proposed per- manency plan is in the best interests of the child or youth and that it has made reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the existing plan. (e) At each hearing on a motion for review of permanency plan, the judicial authority shall (1) ask the child or youth about their desired perma- nency outcome, or if the child or youth is unavail- able to appear at such hearing require the attorney for the child or youth to consult with the child or youth regarding the child’s or youth’s desired permanency outcome and report the same to the court, (2) review the status of the child or youth, (3) review the progress being made to implement the permanency plan, (4) determine a timetable for attaining the permanency plan, (5) determine the services to be provided to the parent or guard- ian if the court approves a permanency plan of reunification and the timetable for such services, and (6) determine whether the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families has made reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the existing permanency plan. The judicial authority shall also determine whether the proposed goal of the permanency plan as set forth in General Statutes § 46b-129 (k) (2) is in the best interests of the child or youth by a fair preponderance of the evidence, taking into consideration the child’s or youth’s need for permanency. The child’s or youth’s health and safety shall be of paramount concern in formulating such plan. If a permanency plan is not approved by the judicial authority, it shall order the filing of a revised plan and set a hearing to review said revised plan within sixty days. (f) As long as a child or youth remains in the custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, the commissioner shall file a motion for review of permanency plan and for a finding regarding reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the existing plan nine months after the prior permanency plan hearing. No later than twelve months after the prior permanency plan hearing, the judicial authority shall hold a subse- quent permanency review hearing in accordance with this section. (g) Whenever an approved permanency plan needs revision, the Commissioner of the Depart- ment of Children and Families shall file a motion for review of the revised permanency plan. The commissioner shall not be precluded from initiat- ing a proceeding in the best interests of the child 374 or youth considering the needs for safety and per- manency. (h) Where a petition for termination of parental rights is granted, the guardian or statutory parent of the child or youth shall report to the judicial authority not later than thirty days after the date the judgment is entered on a permanency plan and on the status of the child or youth. At least every three months thereafter, such guardian or statutory parent shall make a report to the judicial authority on the implementation of the plan, or earlier if the plan changes before the elapse of three months. The judicial authority may convene a hearing upon the filing of a report and shall convene and conduct a permanency hearing for the purpose of reviewing the permanency plan for the child or youth no more than twelve months from the date judgment is entered or from the date of the last permanency hearing held in accord- ance with General Statutes § 46b-129 (k), which- ever is earlier, and at least once a year thereafter while the child or youth remains in the custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families. At each court hearing, the judicial authority shall make factual findings whether rea- sonable efforts to achieve the permanency plan or promote adoption have been made. (Adopted June 24, 2002, to take effect Jan. 1, 2003; amended June 30, 2008, to take effect Jan. 1, 2009; amended June 20, 2011, to take effect Jan. 1, 2012; amended June 24, 2016, to take effect Jan. 1, 2017; amended June 14, 2024, to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.)