PARENTING TIME: HEARING & SUSP. - S.B. 379: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 379 (as introduced 2-24-99)
Sponsor: Senator Bev Hammerstrom
Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the juvenile code to delete a provision regarding the suspension of parenting time during a parental rights termination hearing. (Another section of the code includes a similar provision.)
The bill would delete from Section 18f of the code (MCL 712A.18f(3)(e)) a provision requiring parenting time to be automatically suspended at the time of the initial termination hearing held to consider termination of parental rights, unless the parent establishes and the court determines that the exercise of parenting time will not harm the child. Under the provision to be deleted, if the court adjourns or continues the termination hearing beyond the original scheduled date for any reason, the court must suspend parenting time in the interim, unless the court determines that the exercise of parenting time will not harm the child.
(Section 19b of the code (MCL 712A.19b(4)) provides that, if a petition to terminate the parental rights to a child is filed, parenting time for a parent who is a subject of the petition is automatically suspended and remains suspended at least until a decision is issued on the termination petition. If, however, the parent establishes and the court determines that parenting time will not harm the child, the court may order parenting time in the amount and under the conditions it determines appropriate.)
MCL 712A.18f - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9900\s379sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.