reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
LA Chil Code art. 661 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 661. Presence at adjudication hearing; exclusion of witnesses

A. The child, his parents, counsel, the district attorney, authorized officials of the court as designated by the judge, agency representatives as designated by the state, court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer, the witness under examination, and the judge may be present at the adjudication hearing. B. A child twelve years of age or older shall be present in court unless his presence is waived by the court upon motion of the child's counsel. A child below the age of twelve years shall be present in court upon the request of counsel for the child or the court. If the child is present in court, he may choose to testify as to his wishes, and the court shall consider his testimony in the matter. Any testimony given by a child may be taken by a videotaped interview or by closed-circuit television, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title III of this Code, or by an in-chambers conference attended only by the judge and court reporter and by counsel for the child, for the petitioner, and for the parents. C. The court shall not admit any other person into the courtroom unless the court has determined that the person has a proper interest in or is necessary to the proceedings. D. On its own motion the court may, and on the request of a party the court shall, order that the witnesses, other than parties, be excluded from the courtroom or from a place where they can see or hear the proceedings, and refrain from discussing the facts of the case with anyone other than counsel in the case. In the interest of justice, the court may exempt any witness from its order. E. Prior to the commencement of the hearing, the court shall determine whether it is in the child's best interest for the child to remain in the courtroom during the testimony of the witnesses. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2006, No. 764, §1; Acts 2012, No. 730, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 661.1 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 661.1. Federal Indian Child Welfare Act inquiry

  A. At the commencement of the adjudication hearing, the court shall inquire as to whether the petitioner or any person before the court knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child. If no person before the court responds affirmatively, the court may proceed, although it shall instruct each person before the court to inform the court if he subsequently discovers information indicating that the child is an Indian child.  B. In accordance with Article 624.1, if the court finds that there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child, the court shall immediately proceed pursuant to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  C. If a tribe fails to respond to multiple requests for verification that the child is an Indian child and the court or department has sought the assistance of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in contacting the tribe, the court may make the determination that the child is not an Indian child based on the information it has available and proceed to adjudication in accordance with this Title.  Acts 2018, No. 296, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 662 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 662. Right to present evidence and examine witnesses

The child and his parents may introduce evidence, call witnesses, be heard on their own behalf, and cross-examine witnesses called by the state. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 663 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 663. Evidence; suspension of privileges

A. Except as otherwise hereinafter provided, the adjudication hearing shall be conducted according to the rules of evidence applicable to civil proceedings. B. The court may consider as evidence any videotape which is prepared in compliance with Chapter 8 of Title III and which is relevant to the proceeding. C. Evidence of a prior criminal conviction shall be admissible in proceedings brought under this Title in order to prove allegations made under Article 606. Such proof shall be by certified copy of the judgment of conviction or certified copy of the minute entry of conviction in accordance with the Louisiana Code of Evidence. D. Testimony or other evidence relevant to the abuse or neglect of a child or the cause of such condition may not be excluded on any ground of privilege, except in the case of confessions or communications between an attorney and his client or confidential communications between a priest, rabbi, duly ordained minister, or Christian Science practitioner and his confidential communicant. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 612, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 664 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 664. Adjudication by the court

The adjudication hearing shall be held before the court without a jury. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 665 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 665. Burden of proof

The state shall have the burden to prove the allegations of the petition by a preponderance of evidence. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 666 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 666. Adjudication order

A. Following the adjudication hearing, the court shall immediately declare whether the evidence warrants a child in need of care adjudication. In exceptional circumstances, the court may take the matter under advisement for a period not to exceed ten days. B. If the evidence demonstrates that the child's family is in need of services, the court may adjudicate the child's family to be in need of services and proceed to a disposition in accordance with Chapters 10 and 12 of Title VII. C. If the court finds that the evidence does not warrant an adjudication that either the child is in need of care or the family is in need of services, it shall dismiss the petition. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 1317, §2; Acts 2004, No. 321, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 667 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 667. Vacation of adjudication

A. On motion of the child or the parent, an adjudication shall be vacated and a new adjudication hearing ordered if, after contradictory hearing, the court finds that: (1) The adjudication was obtained by fraud or mistake sufficient to justify vacating the adjudication. (2) The court making the adjudication lacked jurisdiction. (3) New evidence not previously discoverable by due diligence requires vacating the adjudication in the interest of justice. A motion based upon this ground must be brought within one year of the adjudication. B. In the interest of justice, the court may vacate an adjudication prior to disposition. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 668 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 668. Predisposition investigation and report

A. Following adjudication, the court may order a predisposition investigation. The investigation shall include the circumstances, needs, and social history of the child and his family, and also the circumstances surrounding the factual allegations of the petition. It shall also assess whether the child has an established and significant relationship with a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other relative which should be preserved in the best interests of the child. If so, the department shall include in the case plan arrangements for the child's continuing contact with such individuals while the child is in foster care. B. A written report of the investigation and findings shall be submitted to the court prior to the disposition hearing. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2001, No. 568, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 669 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 669. Physical and mental examination for disposition

A. Following the adjudication, the court may order such physical and mental examination and evaluation of the child and his parents as may be helpful in determining a fair and just disposition. B. After giving the parent a reasonable opportunity to be heard, the court may order that such parent shall contribute to the cost of the examination or evaluation in an amount commensurate with the parent's ability to pay. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 670 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 670. Notice of predisposition report and examination

A. Prior to or during the disposition hearing, the court shall advise the petitioner, counsel for the child, and counsel for the parents of the factual contents and the conclusions of the predisposition report authorized by Article 668 and any other reports considered by the court. The court need not, but may, disclose sources of factual information to counsel for the child. B. If the court has ordered a mental examination of the child or his parents pursuant to Article 669, the court, prior to the disposition hearing, shall provide the petitioner and counsel for the child and parent with copies of reports submitted in connection with such mental examination. C. The court shall afford the petitioner and counsel for the child and parent fair opportunity to controvert factual contents and conclusions disclosed pursuant to Paragraphs A and B of this Article. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 671 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 671. Applicability

If at any point in a child in need of care proceeding a child enters the custody of a child care agency, the provisions of this Chapter shall also be applicable. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 672 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 672. Care and treatment by department

  A.(1) Whenever custody of a child is assigned to the Department of Children and Family Services, the child shall be assigned to the custody of the department rather than to a particular placement setting. The department shall have authority over the placement within its resources and the allocation of other available resources within the department for children judicially committed to its custody.  (2) Upon motion of the court, for good cause shown, a contradictory hearing shall be held and thereafter, the presiding judge shall have the authority to disapprove a placement chosen by the department if it is not in the best interest of the child and shall issue a written order that the department choose a more suitable placement with reasons supporting the court's decision.  B. The court shall not divide legal and physical custody whenever assigning custody to a department in accordance with this Article, Articles 619, 622, 627, 681, 700, or 716, or any other statute or provision of law. The court shall specify other public agencies or institutions that have legal or financial responsibility, or both, to provide their particular services identified at disposition or subsequent case review. Placing custody of a child with one state department shall not remove the obligation of any other state department to provide services to that child from their resources for which the child is eligible under state or federal statute or state or federal appropriation, including but not limited to twenty-four-hour care.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1993, No. 866, §1; eff. June 23, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 612, §1; Acts 1997, No. 671, §1, eff. July 7, 1997; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1; Acts 2018, No. 189, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 672.1 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 672.1. Reunification efforts determination

A. At any time in a child in need of care proceeding when a child is in the custody of the department, the department may file a motion for a judicial determination that efforts to reunify the parent and child are not required. B. The department shall have the burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that reunification efforts are not required, considering the health and safety of the child and the child's need for permanency. C. Efforts to reunify the parent and child are not required if a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that: (1) The parent has subjected the child to egregious conduct or conditions, including but not limited to any of the grounds for certification for adoption pursuant to Article 1015. (2) The parent has committed murder or manslaughter of another child of the parent or any other child or has aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such a murder or manslaughter. (3) The parent has committed a felony that results in serious bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent or any other child. (4) The parental rights of the parent to a sibling have been terminated involuntarily. D. If the court determines that reunification efforts are not required, it shall document that determination by written findings of fact. A permanency hearing, which considers in-state and out-of-state permanent placement options for the child, may be conducted immediately and shall be conducted within thirty days after the determination. Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1; Acts 2007, No. 334, §1; Acts 2012, No. 730, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 672.2 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 672.2. Local educational agencies; children placed in group homes and residential facilities

  A. Beginning with applications submitted on July 1, 1999, and thereafter, as a condition of application for an initial license from the Louisiana Department of Health to provide residential treatment, group home care, emergency shelter care, or psychiatric hospital services to youths of school age under the supervision or in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, a license applicant shall notify the local educational agency in the parish in which the facility is located of its intention to apply for a license to operate such a facility.  B. Documentation of such notification provided for in Paragraph A shall be submitted to the Louisiana Department of Health as part of the application, and shall include the number of children for which the facility is seeking licensure and the anticipated opening date of the facility.  C. Beginning with applications received on July 1, 1999, and thereafter, upon receipt of an application for initial licensure by the Department of Children and Family Services from an applicant which seeks to provide child residential care, or emergency shelter to children of school age, the Department of Children and Family Services shall provide written notification to the Department of Education of such application for initial licensure within thirty days of receipt of such application, including the parish where the facility seeks to operate.  Acts 1999, No. 1173, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 673 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 673. Case plan

Within sixty days after a child enters the custody of a child care agency, the custodian shall develop a case plan detailing the custodian's efforts toward achieving a permanent placement for the child. The health and safety of the child shall be the paramount concern in the development of the case plan. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 674 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 674. Filing

  A. A copy of the case plan shall be filed with the court ten days before any scheduled disposition, permanency, or case review hearing. Upon filing, the department shall provide a copy of the case plan to counsel of record either by mail or electronic mail and shall mail a copy by certified mail to any unrepresented parent at his last known address or send the copy by electronic mail at the electronic mail address expressly designated by the parent in a pleading, at the continued custody or continued safety plan hearing, or at any other hearing at which the parent personally appeared before the court, unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause.  B. Service by electronic mail is complete upon transmission but is not effective if the serving party learns the transmission did not reach the party to be served.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 612, §1; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2015, No. 124, §1, eff. June 19, 2015.
LA Chil Code art. 676 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 676. Response to case plan

Any party may file a written response to the case plan as submitted. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.
LA Chil Code art. 677 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 677. Case plan review

A. At the disposition hearing, the court shall consider the content or implementation of the case plan and any response filed concerning it. At any other hearing held subsequent to the filing of the case plan, on its own motion or upon motion of any party for good cause shown, the court may consider the content or implementation of the case plan or of any response filed concerning it. B. If no party files a written response objecting to the case plan and the court finds the plan protects the health and safety of the child and is in the best interest of the child, the court shall render an order approving the plan. C. If the court does not approve the case plan, it shall enter specific written reasons for finding that the plan does not protect the health and safety of the child or is otherwise not in the best interest of the child. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 612, §1; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 678 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 678. Disposition hearing; time

A. Prior to entering a judgment of disposition, the court shall conduct a disposition hearing. B. The disposition hearing may be conducted immediately after the adjudication and shall be conducted within thirty days after the adjudication. C. Upon a showing of good cause and notice to the opposing party, the court may grant, deny, or restrict a requested continuance of the proceeding in accordance with the best interests of the child. If a continuance is granted, the court shall issue a written order identifying the mover and reciting the particular facts justifying the continuance. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999.
LA Chil Code art. 679 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 679. Notice; presence at disposition

A. Written notice of the date, time, and place of the disposition hearing shall be served and a return made in the same manner as a petition on all parties and also counsel of record at least fifteen days prior to the hearing unless the parties have been previously notified in open court at a prior hearing. B. The court shall permit a disposition hearing to be held in the absence of a parent if it is established on the record that the parent was served but is not in attendance or that efforts to serve the parent have been unsuccessful. C. A child twelve years of age or older shall be present in court unless his presence is waived by the court upon motion of the child's counsel. A child below the age of twelve years shall be present in court upon the request of counsel for the child or the court. If the child is present in court, he may choose to testify as to his wishes, and the court shall consider his testimony in the matter. Any testimony given by a child may be taken by a videotaped interview or by closed-circuit television, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title III of this Code, or by an in-chambers conference attended only by the judge and court reporter and by counsel for the child, for the petitioner, and for the parents. D. The department shall give notice of the right to appear at the disposition hearing to any foster parent, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child. E. If a foster parent, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child fails to appear at the disposition hearing, the department shall report to the court whether notice was given, or, if not, what diligent efforts were made to locate and notify the absent person. The court may permit the hearing to be held in the person's absence. F. The court shall solicit and consider information regarding the care and treatment of the child from any foster parent, pre-adoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child who appears for the hearing. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2007, No. 334, §1; Acts 2012, No. 730, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 680 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 680. Disposition hearing; evidence

  A. All parties have the right to testify, the right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, the right to present evidence and witnesses, and the right to counsel.  B. The court shall consider the report of the predisposition investigation, the case plan, any reports of mental evaluation, and all other evidence offered by the parties relating to the proper disposition. The court may consider evidence which would not be admissible at the adjudication hearing.  Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2021, No. 158, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 681 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 681. Dispositional alternatives

A. In a case in which a child has been adjudicated to be in need of care, the child's health and safety shall be the paramount concern, and the court may do any of the following: (1) Place the child in the custody of a parent or such other suitable person on such terms and conditions as deemed in the best interest of the child including but not limited to the issuance of a protective order pursuant to Article 618. (2) Place the child in the custody of a private or public institution or agency. (3) Commit a child found to have a mental illness to a public or private institution for persons with mental illness. (4) Grant guardianship of the child to a nonparent. (5) Make such other disposition or combination of the above dispositions as the court deems to be in the best interest of the child. B. A child in need of care shall not be committed to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, nor shall such department accept a child in need of care. Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2011, No. 128, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §33, eff. June 23, 2014.