Bill No.: HB0028                  Drafter:  LNS

LSO No.:  11LSO-0047              Effective Date:  7/1/2011

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0027

Chapter No.:       79

Prime Sponsor:     Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

Catch Title:       Child protection shelter care and initial hearings.

Subject:  Advisements given by a court at a hearing when a child is taken into protective custody.

Summary/Major Elements:

· The act deals with shelter care hearings.  Shelter care hearings must be provided within 48 hours of taking a child who may have been abused or neglected into temporary protective custody. 

· Under current law, the court is required to advise parents at the shelter care hearing that they could admit or deny allegations of abuse or neglect. 

· This act clarifies that the court may give this advisement at a later initial hearing.  The court has the option, however, of holding a shelter care hearing in conjunction with an initial hearing where allegations of neglect are admitted or denied.