This article originally appeared in the June 2000 issue of ABA Child Law Practice . Copyright 2000, American Bar Association. All rights reserved. While these regulations, for the most part, reiterate the federal statute, they do clarify and expand on certain issues. The 74 pages in the Federal Register also have extensive commentary to guide state compliance.
Actual removal is the date the child is removed from the home.
The date the court found the child neglected or abused. Sixty days after the child's actual removal. The commentary clarifies that states are free to choose to hold these hearings earlier. For example, a state may run all time periods from actual removal. A child may already be living with a relative when the state intervenes.