Rule 1514. Dispositional Finding Before Removal from Home.
(a) Required Findings. Prior to entering a dispositional order removing a child from the home, the court shall state on the record in open court the following specific findings:
1) Continuation of the child in the home would be contrary to the welfare, safety, or health of the child;
2) The child’s placement is the least restrictive placement that meets the needs of the child, supported by reasons why there is no less restrictive alternative available;
3) If the child has a sibling who is subject to removal from the home, whether reasonable efforts were made prior to the placement of the child to place the siblings together or whether such joint placement is contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or sibling;
4) The county agency has reasonably satisfied the requirements of Rule 1149 regarding family finding;
5) One of the following:
(i) Reasonable efforts were made prior to the placement of the child to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the home, if the child has remained in the home pending such disposition; or
(ii) If preventive services were not offered due to the necessity for emergency placement, whether such lack of services was reasonable under the circumstances; or
(iii) If the court previously determined that reasonable efforts were not made to prevent the initial removal of the child from the home, whether reasonable efforts are under way to make it possible for the child to return home; and
6) The county agency has provided a permanency plan and services pursuant to 67 Pa.C.S. § 7504.
(b) Aggravated Circumstances. If the court has previously found aggravated circumstances to exist and that reasonable efforts to remove the child from the home or to preserve and reunify the family are not required, a finding pursuant to subdivision (a)(5)(i)—(a)(5)(iii) is unnecessary.
Comment: See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(b).
Pursuant to subdivision (a)(3), the court is to utilize reasonable efforts in placing siblings together unless it is contrary to the safety or well-being of a child or sibling. See 42 U.S.C. § 675 (Fostering Connections).
Pursuant to subdivision (a)(4), the court is to determine whether the county agency has reasonably satisfied the requirements of Rule 1149 regarding family finding. If the county agency has failed to meet the diligent family finding efforts requirements of Rule 1149, the court is to utilize its powers to enforce this legislative mandate. See 67 Pa.C.S. § § 7501 et seq. See also Pa.R.J.C.P. 1210(D)(8), 1242(E)(3), 1409(C), 1609(D), and 1611(C), and Comments to Pa.R.J.C.P. 1242, 1408, 1409, 1512, 1515, and 1608—1611.
Pursuant to subdivision (a)(6), specific requirements for a permanency plan and services exist when the court orders the temporary transfer of a child’s legal custody pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(a)(2). See 67 Pa.C.S. § 7504.
Source The provisions of this Rule 1514 amended April 29, 2011, effective July 1, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 2413; amended July 13, 2015, effective October 1, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 3987; amended November 30, 2021, effective January 1, 2022, 51 Pa.B. 7632; amended March 22, 2023, effective October 1, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 1791. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (407954) and (411453).
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