General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5185
February Session, 2018 LCO No. 326
*00326_______KID*
Referred to Committee on COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN
Introduced by:
(KID)
General Assembly
Raised Bill No. 5185
February Session, 2018
LCO No. 326
*00326_______KID*
Referred to Committee on COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN
Introduced by:
(KID)
AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 45a-608n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(a) For the purposes of this section and section 45a-608o, a minor child shall be considered dependent upon the court if the court has (1) removed a parent or other person as guardian of the minor child, (2) appointed a guardian or coguardian for the minor child, (3) terminated the parental rights of a parent of the minor child, or (4) approved the adoption of the minor child.
(b) At any time during the pendency of a petition to remove a parent or other person as guardian under section 45a-609 or 45a-610, or to appoint a guardian or coguardian under section 45a-616, as amended by this act, a party may file a petition requesting the Probate Court to make findings under this section to be used in connection with a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for designation of the minor child as having special immigrant juvenile status under 8 USC 1101(a)(27)(J). The Probate Court shall cause notice of the hearing on the petition to be given by first class mail to each person listed in subsection (b) of section 45a-609, and such hearing may be held at the same time as the hearing on the underlying petition for removal or appointment. If the court grants the petition to remove the parent or other person as guardian or appoint a guardian or coguardian, the court shall make written findings on the following: (1) The age of the minor child; (2) the marital status of the minor child; (3) whether the minor child is dependent upon the court; (4) whether reunification of the minor child with one or both of the minor child's parents is not viable due to any of the grounds sets forth in subdivisions (2) to (5), inclusive, of section 45a-610; and (5) whether it is not in the best interests of the minor child to be returned to the minor child's or parent's country of nationality or last habitual residence.
(c) If the court has previously granted a petition to remove a parent or other person as guardian under section 45a-609 or 45a-610 or to appoint a guardian or coguardian under section 45a-616, as amended by this act, a parent, guardian or attorney for the minor child may file a petition requesting that the court make findings under this section to be used in connection with a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for designation of the minor child as having special immigrant juvenile status under 8 USC 1101(a)(27)(J). The court shall cause notice of the hearing on the petition to be given by first class mail to each parent, guardian and attorney for the minor child, to the minor child if the minor child is twelve years of age or older and to other persons as the court determines. The court shall make written findings on the petition in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Notwithstanding the definitions of "minor" and "minor child" pursuant to section 45a-604, for purposes of this section, "minor" or "minor child" means (1) a person under the age of eighteen, or (2) an unmarried person under the age of twenty-one who is dependent on a competent caregiver and consents to the appointment or continuation of a guardian after attaining the age of eighteen, solely in connection with a petition to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for designation of the person as having special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 USC 1101(a)(27)(J).
Sec. 2. Section 45a-616 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(a) If any minor has no parent or guardian of his or her person, the court of probate for the district in which the minor resides may, on its own motion, appoint a guardian or coguardians of the person of the minor, taking into consideration the standards provided in section 45a-617, as amended by this act. Such court shall take of such guardian or coguardians a written acceptance of guardianship and, if the court deems it necessary for the protection of the minor, a probate bond.
(b) If any minor has a parent or guardian, who is the sole guardian of the person of the child, the court of probate for the district in which the minor resides may, on the application of the parent or guardian of such child or of the Commissioner of Children and Families with the consent of such parent or guardian and with regard to a child within the care of the commissioner, appoint one or more persons to serve as coguardians of the child. When appointing a guardian or guardians under this subsection, the court shall take into consideration the standards provided in section 45a-617, as amended by this act. The court may order that the appointment of a guardian or guardians under this subsection take effect immediately or, upon request of the parent or guardian, upon the occurrence of a specified contingency, including, but not limited to, the mental incapacity, physical debilitation or death of that parent or guardian. Upon the occurrence of such contingency and notice thereof by written affidavit to the probate court by the appointed guardian or guardians, such appointment shall then take effect and continue until the further order of the court, provided the court may hold a hearing to verify the occurrence of such contingency. The court shall take of such guardian or coguardians a written acceptance of guardianship, and if the court deems it necessary for the protection of the minor, a probate bond.
(c) Upon receipt by the court of an application pursuant to this section, the court shall set a time and place for a hearing to be held within thirty days of the application, unless the court requests an investigation in accordance with the provisions of section 45a-619, in which case the court shall set a day for hearing not more than thirty days following receipt of the results of the investigation. The court shall order notice of the hearing to be given to the minor, if over twelve years of age, by first class mail at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing. In addition, notice by first class mail shall be given to the petitioner and all other parties in interest known by the court.
(d) The rights and obligations of the guardian or coguardians shall be those described in subdivisions (5) and (6) of section 45a-604 and shall be shared with the parent or previously appointed guardian of the person of the minor. The rights and obligations of guardianship may be exercised independently by those who have such rights and obligations. In the event of a dispute between guardians or between a coguardian and a parent, the matter may be submitted to the court of probate which appointed the guardian or coguardian.
(e) Upon the death of the parent or guardian, any appointed guardians of the person of a minor child shall become the sole guardians or coguardians of the person of that minor child.
(f) Notwithstanding the definitions of "minor" and "minor child" pursuant to section 45a-604, for purposes of this section, "minor" or "minor child" means (1) a person under the age of eighteen, or (2) an unmarried person under the age of twenty-one who is dependent on a competent caregiver and consents to the appointment or continuation of a guardian after attaining the age of eighteen, solely in connection with a petition to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for designation of the person as having special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 USC 1101(a)(27)(J).
Sec. 3. Section 45a-616a of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(a) In appointing a guardian of the person of a minor pursuant to section 45a-616, as amended by this act, or at any time following such appointment, the Court of Probate may establish a permanent guardianship if the court provides notice to each parent that the parent may not petition for reinstatement as guardian or petition to terminate the permanent guardianship, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, or the court indicates on the record why such notice could not be provided, and the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the establishment of a permanent guardianship is in the best interests of the minor and that the following have been proven by clear and convincing evidence:
(1) One of the grounds for termination of parental rights, as set forth in subparagraphs (A) to (H), inclusive, of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of section 45a-717 exists, or the parents have voluntarily consented to the appointment of a permanent guardian;
(2) Adoption of the minor is not possible or appropriate;
(3) (A) If the minor is at least twelve years of age, such minor consents to the proposed appointment of a permanent guardian, or (B) if the minor is under twelve years of age, the proposed permanent guardian is a relative or already serving as the permanent guardian of at least one of the minor's siblings;
(4) The minor has resided with the proposed permanent guardian for at least one year; and
(5) The proposed permanent guardian is suitable and worthy and committed to remaining the permanent guardian and assuming the rights and responsibilities for the minor until the minor reaches the age of majority.
(b) If a permanent guardian appointed under this section becomes unable or unwilling to serve as permanent guardian, the court may appoint a successor guardian or permanent guardian in accordance with this section and sections 45a-616 and 45a-617, as amended by this act, or may reinstate a parent of the minor who was previously removed as guardian of the person of the minor if the court finds that the factors that resulted in the removal of the parent as guardian have been resolved satisfactorily, and that it is in the best interests of the child to reinstate the parent as guardian.
(c) Notwithstanding the definitions of "minor" and "minor child" pursuant to section 45a 604, for purposes of this section, "minor" or "minor child" means (1) a person under the age of eighteen, or (2) an unmarried person under the age of twenty-one who is dependent on a competent caregiver and consents to the appointment or continuation of a guardian after attaining the age of eighteen, solely in connection with a petition to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for designation of the person as having special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 USC 1101(a)(27)(J).
Sec. 4. Section 45a-617 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(a) When appointing a guardian, coguardians or permanent guardian of the person of a minor, the court shall take into consideration the following factors: (1) The ability of the prospective guardian, coguardians or permanent guardian to meet, on a continuing day to day basis, the physical, emotional, moral and educational needs of the minor; (2) the minor's wishes, if he or she is over the age of twelve or is of sufficient maturity and capable of forming an intelligent preference; (3) the existence or nonexistence of an established relationship between the minor and the prospective guardian, coguardians or permanent guardian; and (4) the best interests of the child. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that appointment of a grandparent or other relative related by blood or marriage as a guardian, coguardian or permanent guardian is in the best interests of the minor child.
(b) Notwithstanding the definitions of "minor" and "minor child" pursuant to section 45a-604, for purposes of this section, "minor" or "minor child" means (1) a person under the age of eighteen, or (2) an unmarried person under the age of twenty-one who is dependent on a competent caregiver and consents to the appointment or continuation of a guardian after attaining the age of eighteen, solely in connection with a petition to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for designation of the person as having special immigrant juvenile status pursuant to 8 USC 1101(a)(27)(J).
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2018 45a-608n
Sec. 2 July 1, 2018 45a-616
Sec. 3 July 1, 2018 45a-616a
Sec. 4 July 1, 2018 45a-617
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1
July 1, 2018
45a-608n
Sec. 2
July 1, 2018
45a-616
Sec. 3
July 1, 2018
45a-616a
Sec. 4
July 1, 2018
45a-617
Statement of Purpose:
To permit certain unmarried persons under the age of twenty-one to be appointed a guardian solely in connection with a petition to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for designation of the person as having special immigrant juvenile status.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]