EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 127 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-5 with his siblings.

2-1 Sec. 2. NRS 127.150 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-2 127.150 1. If the court finds that the best interests of the child

2-19 child’s best interest.

2-20 Sec. 3. NRS 127.220 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-21 127.220 As used in NRS [127.230] 127.220 to 127.310, inclusive, and

2-32 to adopt a specific child, born or in utero.

2-33 Sec. 4. Chapter 128 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

2-37 are completed within 6 months after the petition is filed.

2-38 Sec. 5. NRS 128.100 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-39 128.100 1. In any proceeding for terminating parental rights, or any

2-42 litem appointed pursuant to NRS 432B.500, as his guardian ad litem.

3-1 2. If the parent or parents of the child desire to be represented by

3-2 counsel, but are indigent, the court may appoint an attorney for them.

3-3 3. Each attorney appointed under the provisions of this section is

3-4 entitled to the same compensation and expenses from the county as

3-5 provided in NRS 7.125 and 7.135 for attorneys appointed to represent

3-6 persons charged with crimes.

3-7 Sec. 6. NRS 128.105 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-8 128.105 The primary consideration in any proceeding to terminate

3-32 abandonment by that parent.

3-33 Sec. 7. NRS 128.109 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-34 128.109 1. If a child has been placed outside of his home pursuant to

3-43 and conditions of a plan to reunite the family within 6 months after the date

4-1 on which the child was placed or the plan was commenced, whichever

4-2 occurs later, that failure to comply is evidence of failure of parental

4-3 adjustment as set forth in paragraph (d) of subsection 2 of NRS 128.105.

4-4 2. If a child has been placed outside of his home pursuant to chapter

4-5 432B of NRS and has resided outside of his home pursuant to that

4-6 placement for [18] 14 months of any [24] 20 consecutive months, the best

4-7 interests of the child must be presumed to be served by the termination of

4-8 parental rights.

4-9 3. The presumptions specified in subsections 1 and 2 must not be

4-10 overcome or otherwise affected by evidence of failure of the state to

4-11 provide services to the family.

4-12 Sec. 8. NRS 128.110 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-13 128.110 1. Whenever the procedure described in this chapter has

4-35 the child outside of his home.

4-36 Sec. 9. Chapter 432 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

4-41 approval as an adoptive parent or as a provider of foster care.

5-1 Sec. 10. NRS 432.032 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-2 432.032 The division shall adopt regulations for the administration of

5-4 binding upon all recipients and local units.

5-5 Sec. 11. NRS 432.100 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-6 432.100 1. There is hereby established a statewide central registry

5-21 information concerning the abuse or neglect of a child.

5-22 Sec. 12. Chapter 432B of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

5-23 the provisions set forth as sections 13 to 18, inclusive, of this act.

5-24 Sec. 13. 1. The rural advisory board to expedite proceedings for

5-25 the placement of children, consisting of two members from each local

5-26 advisory board created by a district court pursuant to section 14 of this

5-27 act, is hereby created within the division of child and family services.

5-28 2. After the initial terms, the members of the rural advisory board

5-29 serve terms of 4 years. Any member of the rural advisory board may be

5-30 reappointed. If a vacancy occurs during the term of a member, the

5-31 district court that created the local advisory board from which the

5-32 member was appointed shall appoint a person to replace that member for

5-33 the remainder of the unexpired term.

5-34 3. Members of the rural advisory board serve without compensation,

5-35 except that necessary travel and per diem expenses may be reimbursed,

5-36 not to exceed the amounts provided for state officers and employees

5-37 generally, to the extent that money is made available for that purpose.

5-38 4. The division of child and family services shall provide the rural

5-39 advisory board with administrative support and shall provide any

5-40 information requested by the rural advisory board to the rural advisory

5-41 board within 10 working days after receiving the request for information.

5-42 5. The rural advisory board shall:

6-1 (a) At its first meeting and annually thereafter, elect a chairman from

6-2 among its members.

6-3 (b) Meet at least four times annually and may meet at other times

6-4 upon the call of the chairman.

6-5 (c) Review the findings of each local advisory board created pursuant

6-6 to section 14 of this act.

6-7 (d) Prepare and make available to the public an annual report

6-8 including, without limitation, a summary of the activities of the rural

6-9 advisory board.

6-10 Sec. 14. 1. The district court in each judicial district that includes

6-11 a county whose population is less than 100,000 may create a local

6-12 advisory board to expedite proceedings for the placement of children at

6-13 the request of one or more residents of that judicial district. A resident

6-14 may make such a request by petitioning the court and setting forth the

6-15 reasons that the creation of a local advisory board is advisable.

6-16 2. The district court shall appoint to any local advisory board it

6-17 creates pursuant to this section:

6-18 (a) One member who is representative of foster parents;

6-19 (b) One member who is representative of attorneys in public or private

6-20 practice;

6-21 (c) One member who is employed by the division of child and family

6-22 services;

6-23 (d) One member who is either employed by the public school system

6-24 and works with children on a regular basis, or works in the field of

6-25 mental health and works with children on a regular basis; and

6-26 (e) One member who is a resident of the judicial district in which the

6-27 local advisory board is created.

6-28 3. The district court shall provide for initial terms of each member of

6-29 the local advisory board so that the terms are staggered. After the initial

6-30 terms, the members of the local advisory board shall serve terms of 4

6-31 years. Any member of the local advisory board may be reappointed. If a

6-32 vacancy occurs during the term of a member, the district court shall

6-33 appoint a person similarly qualified to replace that member for the

6-34 remainder of the unexpired term. The district court may remove a

6-35 member from the local advisory board if the member neglects his duty or

6-36 commits malfeasance in office.

6-37 4. The district court shall appoint two members of the local advisory

6-38 board to serve on the rural advisory board created pursuant to section 13

6-39 of this act.

6-40 5. Members of a local advisory board serve without compensation,

6-41 and necessary travel and per diem expenses may not be reimbursed.

6-42 6. The division of child and family services shall provide each local

6-43 advisory board with administrative support and shall provide any

7-1 information requested by a local advisory board to the local advisory

7-2 board within 10 working days after receiving the request for information.

7-3 7. Each local advisory board shall:

7-4 (a) At its first meeting and annually thereafter, elect a chairman from

7-5 among its members.

7-6 (b) Review each case referred to it pursuant to section 15 of this act,

7-7 and provide the referring court and the office of the attorney general

7-8 with any recommendations to expedite the completion of the case.

7-9 (c) Twice each year, provide a report of its activities and any

7-10 recommendations to expedite the completion of cases to the district court,

7-11 the division of child and family services and the legislature, or the

7-12 legislative commission when the legislature is not in regular session.

7-13 8. A local advisory board may review other cases as deemed

7-14 appropriate by the district court.

7-15 Sec. 15. If the court has not approved the permanent placement of a

7-16 child within 12 months after the initial removal of the child from his

7-17 home, it shall refer the case to the local advisory board created pursuant

7-18 to section 14 of this act, if such a local advisory board was created for

7-19 that judicial district, to obtain recommendations from the local advisory

7-20 board to expedite the completion of the case.

7-21 Sec. 16. 1. To qualify for appointment as a guardian ad litem

7-22 pursuant to NRS 432B.500 in a judicial district that includes a county

7-23 whose population is less than 100,000, a special advocate must be a

7-24 volunteer from the community who completes an initial 12 hours of

7-25 specialized training and, annually thereafter, completes 6 hours of

7-26 specialized training. The training must be approved by the court and

7-27 include information regarding:

7-28 (a) The dynamics of the abuse and neglect of children;

7-29 (b) Factors to consider in determining the best interests of a child,

7-30 including planning for the permanent placement of the child;

7-31 (c) The interrelationships between the family system, legal process

7-32 and system of child welfare;

7-33 (d) Skills in mediation and negotiation;

7-34 (e) Federal, state and local laws affecting children;

7-35 (f) Cultural, ethnic and gender-specific issues;

7-36 (g) Domestic violence;

7-37 (h) Resources and services available in the community for children in

7-38 need of protection;

7-39 (i) Child development;

7-40 (j) Standards for guardians ad litem;

7-41 (k) Confidentiality issues; and

7-42 (l) Such other topics as the court deems appropriate.

8-1 2. To qualify for appointment as a guardian ad litem pursuant to

8-2 NRS 432B.500 in a judicial district that does not include a county whose

8-3 population is less than 100,000, a special advocate must be qualified

8-4 pursuant to the standards for training of the National Court Appointed

8-5 Special Advocate Association or its successor. If such an association

8-6 ceases to exist, the court shall determine the standards for training.

8-7 Sec. 17. The division of child and family services shall:

8-8 1. Establish a panel comprised of volunteer members to evaluate the

8-9 extent to which agencies which provide protective services are effectively

8-10 discharging their responsibilities for the protection of children.

8-11 2. Adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of subsection 1

8-12 which must include, without limitation, the imposition of appropriate

8-13 restrictions on the disclosure of information obtained by the panel and

8-14 civil sanctions for the violation of those restrictions.

8-15 Sec. 18. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, an agency

8-16 which provides protective services shall make reasonable efforts to

8-17 preserve and reunify the family of a child to prevent or eliminate the

8-18 need for his removal from his home and to make it possible for his safe

8-19 return to his home.

8-20 2. In determining the reasonable efforts required by subsection 1, the

8-21 health and safety of the child must be the paramount concern. The

8-22 agency which provides protective services may make reasonable efforts to

8-23 place the child for adoption or with a legal guardian concurrently with

8-24 making the reasonable efforts required pursuant to subsection 1. If the

8-25 court or the agency which provides protective services determines that

8-26 continuation of the reasonable efforts required by subsection 1 is

8-27 inconsistent with the plan for the permanent placement of the child, the

8-28 agency shall make reasonable efforts to place the child in a timely

8-29 manner in accordance with that plan and to complete whatever actions

8-30 are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

8-31 3. An agency which provides protective services is not required to

8-32 make the reasonable efforts required by subsection 1 if the court finds

8-33 that:

8-34 (a) A parent or other primary caretaker of the child has:

8-35 (1) Committed, aided or abetted in the commission of, or attempted,

8-36 conspired or solicited to commit murder or voluntary manslaughter;

8-37 (2) Caused the abuse or neglect of the child, or of another child of

8-38 the parent or primary caretaker, which resulted in substantial bodily

8-39 harm to the abused or neglected child;

8-40 (3) Caused the abuse or neglect of the child, a sibling of the child or

8-41 another child in the household, and the abuse or neglect was so extreme

8-42 or repetitious as to indicate that any plan to return the child to his home

9-1 would result in an unacceptable risk to the health or welfare of the child;

9-2 or

9-3 (4) Abandoned the child for 60 or more days, and the identity of the

9-4 parent of the child is unknown and cannot be ascertained through

9-5 reasonable efforts;

9-6 (b) A parent of the child has, for the previous 6 months, had the

9-7 ability to contact or communicate with the child and made no more than

9-8 token efforts to do so;

9-9 (c) The parental rights of a parent to a sibling of the child have been

9-10 terminated by a court order upon any basis other than the execution of a

9-11 voluntary relinquishment of those rights by a natural parent, and the

9-12 court order is not currently being appealed;

9-13 (d) The child or a sibling of the child was previously removed from his

9-14 home, adjudicated to have been abused or neglected, returned to his

9-15 home and subsequently removed from his home as a result of additional

9-16 abuse or neglect; or

9-17 (e) The child is less than 1 year of age, the father of the child is not

9-18 married to the mother of the child and the father of the child:

9-19 (1) Has failed within 30 days after learning of the birth of the child,

9-20 to visit the child, to commence proceedings to establish his paternity of

9-21 the child or to provide financial support for the child; or

9-22 (2) Is entitled to seek custody of the child but fails to do so within 30

9-23 days after learning that the child was placed in foster care.

9-24 Sec. 19. NRS 432B.280 is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-25 432B.280 1. Reports made pursuant to this chapter, as well as all

9-35 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

9-36 Sec. 20. NRS 432B.290 is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-37 432B.290 1. Except as otherwise provided in [subsection 2 or 5,]

9-42 may have been abused or neglected;

10-1 (b) A person authorized to place a child in protective custody, if he has

10-2 before him a child who he reasonably believes may have been abused or

10-3 neglected and he requires the information to determine whether to place the

10-4 child in protective custody;

10-5 (c) An agency, including, without limitation, an agency in another

10-6 jurisdiction, responsible for or authorized to undertake the care, treatment

10-7 or supervision of:

10-8 (1) The child; or

10-9 (2) The person responsible for the welfare of the child;

10-10 (d) A district attorney or other law enforcement officer who requires the

10-11 information in connection with an investigation or prosecution of the abuse

10-12 or neglect of a child;

10-13 (e) A court, for in camera inspection only, unless the court determines

10-14 that public disclosure of the information is necessary for the determination

10-15 of an issue before it;

10-16 (f) A person engaged in bona fide research or an audit, but information

10-17 identifying the subjects of a report must not be made available to him;

10-18 (g) The attorney and the guardian ad litem of the child;

10-19 (h) A grand jury upon its determination that access to these records is

10-20 necessary in the conduct of its official business;

10-21 (i) [An agency which provides protective services or which is authorized

10-22 to receive, investigate and evaluate reports of abuse or neglect of a child;]

10-23 A federal, state or local governmental entity, or an agency of such an

10-24 entity, that needs access to the information to carry out its legal

10-25 responsibilities to protect children from abuse and neglect;

10-26 (j) A person [who] or an organization that has entered into a written

10-27 agreement with an agency which provides protective services to provide

10-28 assessments or services and that has been trained to make such assessments

10-29 or provide such services;

10-30 (k) A team organized pursuant to NRS 432B.350 for the protection of a

10-31 child ; [pursuant to NRS 432B.350;]

10-32 (l) A team organized pursuant to NRS 432B.405 to review the death of a

10-33 child;

10-34 (m) A parent or legal guardian of the child, if the identity of the person

10-35 responsible for reporting the alleged abuse or neglect of the child to a

10-36 public agency is kept confidential;

10-37 (n) The [person named in the report as allegedly being abused or

10-38 neglected, if he is not a minor or otherwise legally incompetent;] persons

10-39 who are the subject of a report;

10-40 (o) An agency that is authorized by law to license foster homes or

10-41 facilities for children or to investigate persons applying for approval to

10-42 adopt a child, if the agency has before it an application for that license or is

10-43 investigating an applicant to adopt a child;

11-1 (p) Upon written consent of the parent, any officer of this state or a city

11-2 or county thereof or legislator authorized by the agency or department

11-3 having jurisdiction or by the legislature, acting within its jurisdiction, to

11-4 investigate the activities or programs of an agency that provides protective

11-5 services if:

11-6 (1) The identity of the person making the report is kept confidential;

11-7 and

11-8 (2) The officer, legislator or a member of his family is not the person

11-9 alleged to have committed the abuse or neglect;

11-10 (q) The division of parole and probation of the department of motor

11-11 vehicles and public safety for use pursuant to NRS 176.135 in making a

11-12 presentence investigation and report to the district court; [or]

11-13 (r) Any person who is required pursuant to NRS 432B.220 to make a

11-14 report to an agency which provides protective services or to a law

11-15 enforcement agency [.] ;

11-16 (s) The rural advisory board to expedite proceedings for the placement

11-17 of children created pursuant to section 13 of this act or a local advisory

11-18 board to expedite proceedings for the placement of children created

11-19 pursuant to section 14 of this act; or

11-20 (t) The panel established pursuant to section 17 of this act to evaluate

11-21 agencies which provide protective services.

11-22 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, data or information

11-23 concerning reports and investigations thereof made pursuant to this chapter

11-24 may be made available to any member of the general public if the child

11-25 who is the subject of [the] a report dies or is critically injured as a result of

11-26 alleged abuse or neglect, except that the data or information which may be

11-27 disclosed is limited to:

11-28 (a) The fact that a report of abuse or neglect has been made and, if

11-29 appropriate, a factual description of the contents of the report;

11-30 (b) Whether an investigation has been initiated pursuant to NRS

11-31 432B.260, and the result of a completed investigation; and

11-32 (c) Such other information as is authorized for disclosure by a court

11-33 pursuant to subsection 4.

11-34 3. An agency which provides protective services shall not disclose data

11-35 or information pursuant to subsection 2 if the agency determines that the

11-36 disclosure is not in the best interests of the child or if disclosure of the

11-37 information would adversely affect any pending investigation concerning

11-38 [the] a report.

11-39 4. Upon petition, a court of competent jurisdiction may authorize the

11-40 disclosure of additional information to the public pursuant to subsection 2

11-41 if good cause is shown by the petitioner for the disclosure of the additional

11-42 information.

12-1 5. An agency investigating a report of the abuse or neglect of a child

12-2 shall, upon request, provide to a person named in the report as allegedly

12-3 causing the abuse or neglect of the child:

12-4 (a) A copy of:

12-5 (1) Any statement made in writing to an investigator for the agency by

12-6 the person named in the report as allegedly causing the abuse or neglect of

12-7 the child; or

12-8 (2) Any recording made by the agency of any statement made orally

12-9 to an investigator for the agency by the person named in the report as

12-10 allegedly causing the abuse or neglect of the child; or

12-11 (b) A written summary of the allegations made against the person who is

12-12 named in the report as allegedly causing the abuse or neglect of the child.

12-13 The summary must not identify the person responsible for reporting the

12-14 alleged abuse or neglect.

12-15 6. An agency which provides protective services shall disclose the

12-16 identity of a person who makes a report or otherwise initiates an

12-17 investigation pursuant to this chapter if a court, after reviewing the

12-18 record in camera and determining that there is reason to believe that the

12-19 person knowingly made a false report, orders the disclosure.

12-20 7. Any person, except for:

12-21 (a) The subject of a report;

12-22 (b) A district attorney or other law enforcement officer initiating legal

12-23 proceedings; or

12-24 (c) An employee of the division of parole and probation of the

12-25 department of motor vehicles and public safety making a presentence

12-26 investigation and report to the district court pursuant to NRS 176.135,

12-27 who is given access, pursuant to subsection 1 or 2, to information

12-28 identifying the subjects of a report who makes this information public is

12-29 guilty of a misdemeanor.

12-30 [7.] 8. The division of child and family services shall adopt regulations

12-31 to carry out the provisions of this section.

12-32 Sec. 21. NRS 432B.290 is hereby amended to read as follows:

12-33 432B.290 1. Except as otherwise provided in [subsection 2,]

12-42 child in protective custody;

13-1 (c) An agency, including, without limitation, an agency in another

13-2 jurisdiction, responsible for or authorized to undertake the care, treatment

13-3 or supervision of:

13-4 (1) The child; or

13-5 (2) The person responsible for the welfare of the child;

13-6 (d) A district attorney or other law enforcement officer who requires the

13-7 information in connection with an investigation or prosecution of the abuse

13-8 or neglect of a child;

13-9 (e) A court, for in camera inspection only, unless the court determines

13-10 that public disclosure of the information is necessary for the determination

13-11 of an issue before it;

13-12 (f) A person engaged in bona fide research or an audit, but information

13-13 identifying the subjects of a report must not be made available to him;

13-14 (g) The attorney and the guardian ad litem of the child;

13-15 (h) A grand jury upon its determination that access to these records is

13-16 necessary in the conduct of its official business;

13-17 (i) [An agency which provides protective services or which is authorized

13-18 to receive, investigate and evaluate reports of abuse or neglect of a child;]

13-19 A federal, state or local governmental entity, or an agency of such an

13-20 entity, that needs access to the information to carry out its legal

13-21 responsibilities to protect children from abuse and neglect;

13-22 (j) A team organized pursuant to NRS 432B.350 for the protection of a

13-23 child ; [pursuant to NRS 432B.350;]

13-24 (k) A team organized pursuant to NRS 432B.405 to review the death

13-25 of a child;

13-26 (l) A parent or legal guardian of the child, if the identity of the person

13-27 responsible for reporting the alleged abuse or neglect of the child to a

13-28 public agency is kept confidential;

13-29 [(l) The person named in the report as allegedly being abused or

13-30 neglected, if he is not a minor or otherwise legally incompetent;]

13-31 (m) The persons who are the subject of a report;

13-32 (n) An agency that is authorized by law to license foster homes or

13-33 facilities for children or to investigate persons applying for approval to

13-34 adopt a child, if the agency has before it an application for that license or is

13-35 investigating an applicant to adopt a child;

13-36 [(n)] (o) Upon written consent of the parent, any officer of this state or a

13-37 city or county thereof or legislator authorized, by the agency or department

13-38 having jurisdiction or by the legislature, acting within its jurisdiction, to

13-39 investigate the activities or programs of an agency that provides protective

13-40 services if:

13-41 (1) The identity of the person making the report is kept confidential;

13-42 and

14-1 (2) The officer, legislator or a member of his family is not the person

14-2 alleged to have committed the abuse or neglect; [or

14-3 (o)] (p) The division of parole and probation of the department of motor

14-4 vehicles and public safety for use pursuant to NRS 176.135 in making a

14-5 presentence investigation and report to the district court [.] ;

14-6 (q) The rural advisory board to expedite proceedings for the

14-7 placement of children created pursuant to section 13 of this act or a local

14-8 advisory board to expedite proceedings for the placement of children

14-9 created pursuant to section 14 of this act; or

14-10 (r) The panel established pursuant to section 17 of this act to evaluate

14-11 agencies which provide protective services.

14-12 2. An agency investigating a report of the abuse or neglect of a child

14-13 shall, upon request, provide to a person named in the report as allegedly

14-14 causing the abuse or neglect of the child:

14-15 (a) A copy of:

14-16 (1) Any statement made in writing to an investigator for the agency by

14-17 the person named in the report as allegedly causing the abuse or neglect of

14-18 the child; or

14-19 (2) Any recording made by the agency of any statement made orally

14-20 to an investigator for the agency by the person named in the report as

14-21 allegedly causing the abuse or neglect of the child; or

14-22 (b) A written summary of the allegations made against the person who is

14-23 named in the report as allegedly causing the abuse or neglect of the child.

14-24 The summary must not identify the person responsible for reporting the

14-25 alleged abuse or neglect.

14-26 3. An agency which provides protective services shall disclose the

14-27 identity of a person who makes a report or otherwise initiates an

14-28 investigation pursuant to this chapter if a court, after reviewing the

14-29 record in camera and determining that there is reason to believe that the

14-30 person knowingly made a false report, orders the disclosure.

14-31 4. Any person, except for:

14-32 (a) The subject of a report;

14-33 (b) A district attorney or other law enforcement officer initiating legal

14-34 proceedings; or

14-35 (c) An employee of the division of parole and probation of the

14-36 department of motor vehicles and public safety making a presentence

14-37 investigation and report to the district court pursuant to NRS 176.135,

14-38 who is given access, pursuant to subsection 1, to information identifying the

14-39 subjects of a report who makes this information public is guilty of a

14-40 misdemeanor.

14-41 [4.] 5. The division of child and family services shall adopt regulations

14-42 to carry out the provisions of this section.

15-1 Sec. 22. NRS 432B.395 is hereby amended to read as follows:

15-2 432B.395 An agency which provides protective services shall submit

15-7 of the child to his home.]

15-8 Sec. 23. NRS 432B.420 is hereby amended to read as follows:

15-9 432B.420 1. A parent or other person responsible for the [child’s]

15-31 his services as a guardian ad litem.

15-32 Sec. 24. NRS 432B.457 is hereby amended to read as follows:

15-33 432B.457 1. If the court or a special master appointed pursuant to

15-42 child and is allowed to offer recommendations regarding the plan; and

16-1 (b) Allow the person to testify at any hearing held pursuant to this

16-2 chapter to determine [the person most qualified and suitable to take

16-3 custody] any temporary or permanent placement of the child.

16-4 2. For the purposes of this section, a person "has a special interest in

16-5 a child" if:

16-6 (a) The person is:

16-7 (1) A parent or other relative of the child;

16-8 (2) A foster parent or other provider of substitute care for the child;

16-9 (3) A provider of care for the medical or mental health of the child;

16-10 or

16-11 (4) A teacher or other school official who works directly with the

16-12 child; and

16-13 (b) The person:

16-14 (1) Has a personal interest in the well-being of the child; or

16-15 (2) Possesses information that is relevant to the determination of

16-16 the placement of the child.

16-17 Sec. 25. NRS 432B.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-18 432B.500 1. After a petition is filed that a child is in need of

16-42 appropriate, the nature and purpose of each proceeding in his case;

17-1 (e) Participate in the development and negotiation of any plans for

17-2 and orders regarding the child, and monitor the implementation of those

17-3 plans and orders to determine whether services are being provided in an

17-4 appropriate and timely manner;

17-5 (f) Appear at all proceedings regarding the child;

17-6 (g) Inform the court of the desires of the child, but exercise his

17-7 independent judgment regarding the best interests of the child;

17-8 (h) Present recommendations to the court and provide reasons in

17-9 support of those recommendations;

17-10 (i) Request the court to enter orders that are clear, specific and, when

17-11 appropriate, include periods for compliance;

17-12 (j) Review the progress of each case for which he is appointed, and

17-13 advocate for the expedient completion of the case; and

17-14 (k) Perform such other duties as the court orders.

17-15 Sec. 26. NRS 432B.540 is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-16 432B.540 1. If the court finds that the allegations of the petition are

17-42 determines that initiating a petition for the termination of parental rights is

18-1 not in the best interests of the child, it shall include a full explanation of the

18-2 basis for the determination as part of the plan.

18-3 Sec. 27. NRS 432B.550 is hereby amended to read as follows:

18-4 432B.550 1. If the court finds that [the] a child is in need of

18-42 brought the child to the court’s attention.

19-1 4. A copy of the report prepared for the court by the agency which

19-2 provides protective services must be sent to the custodian and the parent or

19-3 legal guardian.

19-4 5. In determining the placement of a child pursuant to this section, if

19-5 the child is not permitted to remain in the custody of his parents or

19-6 guardian, preference must be given to placing the child:

19-7 (a) With any person related within the third degree of consanguinity to

19-8 the child who is suitable and able to provide proper care and guidance for

19-9 the child, regardless of whether the relative resides within this state.

19-10 (b) If practicable, together with his siblings.

19-11 Any search for a relative with whom to place a child pursuant to this

19-12 section must be completed within 1 year after the initial placement of the

19-13 child outside of his home. If a child is placed with any person who resides

19-14 outside of this state, the placement must be in accordance with NRS

19-15 127.330.

19-16 Sec. 28. NRS 432B.580 is hereby amended to read as follows:

19-17 432B.580 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a child is

19-42 to NRS 127.040.

20-1 5. The court or panel may require the presence of the child at the

20-2 hearing and shall provide to each person to whom notice was given

20-3 pursuant to subsection 4 an opportunity to be heard at the hearing.

20-4 6. The court or panel shall review:

20-5 (a) The continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the placement;

20-6 (b) The extent of compliance with the plan submitted pursuant to

20-7 subsection 2 of NRS 432B.540;

20-8 (c) Any progress which has been made in alleviating the problem which

20-9 resulted in the placement of the child; and

20-10 (d) The date the child may be returned to and safely maintained in his

20-11 home or placed for adoption or under a legal guardianship.

20-12 7. The provision of notice and an opportunity to be heard pursuant

20-13 to this section does not cause any person planning to adopt the child, or

20-14 any relative or provider of foster care to become a party to the hearing.

20-15 Sec. 29. NRS 432B.590 is hereby amended to read as follows:

20-16 432B.590 1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 432B.600, the

20-42 should be initiated.]

21-1 If the court determines that it is in the best interests of the child to

21-2 terminate parental rights, the court shall use its best efforts to ensure that

21-3 the procedures required by chapter 128 of NRS are completed within 6

21-4 months after the date the court makes that determination, including,

21-5 without limitation, appointing a private attorney to expedite the

21-6 completion of the procedures.

21-7 4. If a child has been placed outside of his home and has resided

21-8 outside of his home pursuant to that placement for [18] 14 months of any

21-9 [24] 20 consecutive months, the best interests of the child must be

21-10 presumed to be served by the termination of parental rights.

21-11 5. This hearing may take the place of the hearing for review required

21-12 by NRS 432B.580.

21-13 6. The provision of notice and an opportunity to be heard pursuant

21-14 to this section does not cause any person planning to adopt the child, or

21-15 any relative or provider of foster care to become a party to the hearing.

21-16 Sec. 30. 1. This section and sections 1 to 12, inclusive, 14 to 20,

21-17 inclusive, and 22 to 29, inclusive, of this act become effective on July 1,

21-18 1999.

21-19 2. Section 13 of this act becomes effective upon the division of child

21-20 and family services of the department of human resources being notified of

21-21 the creation of three or more local advisory boards to expedite proceedings

21-22 for the placement of children pursuant to section 14 of this act.

21-23 3. Section 20 of this act expires by limitation on June 30, 2001.

21-24 4. Section 21 of this act becomes effective at 12:02 a.m. on July 1,

21-25 2001.