38-2259. Emergency change of placement; removal from home of parent, findings of court. (a) When an emergency exists requiring immediate action to assure the safety and protection of the child or the secretary is notified that the foster parents or shelter facility refuse to allow the child to remain, the secretary may transfer the child to another foster home or shelter facility without prior court approval. The secretary shall notify the court of the action at the earliest practical time. When the child is removed from the home of a parent after having been placed in the home for a period of six months or longer, the secretary shall present to the court in writing the specific nature of the emergency and reasons why it is contrary to the welfare of the child to remain in the placement and request a finding by the court whether remaining in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child. If the court enters an order the court shall make a finding as to whether an emergency exists. The court shall provide the secretary with a copy of the order. In making the finding, the court may rely on documentation submitted by the secretary or may set the date for a hearing on the matter. If the secretary requests such a finding, the court shall provide the secretary with a written copy of the finding by the court not more than 45 days from the date of the request.

(b) The court shall not enter an order approving the removal of a child from the home of a parent pursuant to this section unless the court first finds probable cause that: (1) (A) The child is likely to sustain harm if not immediately removed from the home;

(B) allowing the child to remain in home is contrary to the welfare of the child; or

(C) immediate placement of the child is in the best interest of the child; and

(2) reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the family unit and prevent the unnecessary removal of the child from the child's home or that an emergency exists which threatens the safety to the child.

History: L. 2006, ch. 200, § 54; L. 2008, ch. 169, § 14; July 1.