Opinion ID: 2557398
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Legal Implications of a Jeopardy Finding

Text: [¶ 8] The father contends that where there is a finding of jeopardy as to one parent, but no finding of jeopardy as to the other parent, as a matter of law, the court may not award primary residence of the child to the parent with the finding of jeopardy. We disagree. [¶ 9] In interpreting a statute, we first look to its plain meaning. Id. Title 22 M.R.S. § 4036(1-A) states, Upon request of a parent, the court may enter an order pursuant to Title 19-A, section 1653 if the court determines that the order will protect the child from jeopardy and is in the child's best interest. . . . [3] The statutory language is unambiguous and does not explicitly preclude the placement of a child in the primary residence of a parent against whom a finding of jeopardy has been entered. [¶ 10] In construing a statute, the provision at issue must be considered within the broader context of the entire statutory scheme. See In re Jacob C., 2009 ME 10, ¶ 9, 965 A.2d at 50. Elsewhere in 22 M.R.S. § 4036, a finding of jeopardy does not automatically require that a child be removed from the parent's home, but rather vests the court with great discretion to order a variety of dispositions, including [n]o change in custody; . . . [d]epartmental supervision of the child and family in the child's home; . . . [or] [t]hat the child [and] . . . the parents . . . accept treatment or services to ameliorate the circumstances related to the jeopardy. 22 M.R.S. § 4036(1)(A)-(C) (2009). Furthermore, the court may not remove a child from home unless it specifically find[s] that remaining in the home is contrary to the welfare of the child. 22 M.R.S. § 4036-B(2) (2009). Construing section 4036(1-A) in context, there is no support for the proposition that a court may not award parental rights and responsibilities to a parent if there is a finding of jeopardy as to that parent. The statutory scheme otherwise authorizes the court to permit a child to remain in a parent's custody even after a finding of jeopardy, see 22 M.R.S. § 4036(1)(A)-(C), while that parent engages in reunification and related services. Logic dictates that the same arrangement should be available where, as here, a parent has successfully participated in reunification services and the court has determined that a formal award of parental rights and responsibilities is in the child's best interest.