Courts would put child safety first in abuse and neglect cases

Courts and the department would treat the child's best interests as the main standard in abuse and neglect matters. The standard would guide court and department actions under the Abuse and Neglect Act. The standard ranks protection from harm first, followed by a safe, stable home, the child's development, and a safe, nurturing family setting. A placement preference would not create a presumption that reunification with a parent, guardian, or custodian is in the child's best interests. The standard would apply to covered matters and department actions on or after the act's effective date, including cases already pending then.

Courts would put their placement decisions and reasons in writing. The findings would be required at custody, disposition, judicial review, and permanency hearings under the Abuse and Neglect Act. If the court rejects a higher-priority placement, it would explain why. The requirement would apply at covered hearings on or after the act's effective date.