NRS432B.580. Semiannual review by court of placement of child.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 432B.513, if a child is placed pursuant to NRS 432B.550 other than with a parent, the placement must be reviewed by the court at least semiannually, and within 90 days after a request by a party to any of the prior proceedings. Unless the parent, guardian or the custodian objects to the referral, the court may enter an order directing that the placement be reviewed by a panel appointed pursuant to NRS 432B.585.

      2.  An agency acting as the custodian of the child shall, before any hearing for review of the placement of a child, submit a report to the court, or to the panel if it has been designated to review the matter, which includes:

      (a) An evaluation of the progress of the child and the family of the child and any recommendations for further supervision, treatment or rehabilitation.

      (b) Information concerning the placement of the child in relation to the child’s siblings, including, without limitation:

             (1) Whether the child was placed together with the siblings;

             (2) Any efforts made by the agency to have the child placed together with the siblings;

             (3) Any actions taken by the agency to ensure that the child has contact with the siblings; and

             (4) If the child is not placed together with the siblings:

                   (I) The reasons why the child is not placed together with the siblings; and

                   (II) A plan for the child to visit the siblings, which must be approved by the court.

      (c) A copy of an academic plan developed for the child pursuant to NRS 388.155, 388.165 or 388.205.

      (d) A copy of any explanations regarding medication that has been prescribed for the child that have been submitted by a foster home pursuant to NRS 424.0383.

      3.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a copy of the report submitted pursuant to subsection 2 must be given to the parents, the guardian ad litem and the attorney, if any, representing the parent or the child. If the child was delivered to a provider of emergency services pursuant to NRS 432B.630 and the parent has not appeared in the action, the report need not be sent to that parent.

      4.  After a plan for visitation between a child and the siblings of the child submitted pursuant to subparagraph (4) of paragraph (b) of subsection 2 has been approved by the court, the agency which provides child welfare services must request the court to issue an order requiring the visitation set forth in the plan for visitation. If a person refuses to comply with or disobeys an order issued pursuant to this subsection, the person may be punished as for a contempt of court.

      5.  The court or the panel shall hold a hearing to review the placement, unless the parent, guardian or custodian files a motion with the court to dispense with the hearing. If the motion is granted, the court or panel may make its determination from any report, statement or other information submitted to it.

      6.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and paragraph (c) of subsection 4 of NRS 432B.520, notice of the hearing must be given by registered or certified mail to:

      (a) All the parties to any of the prior proceedings;

      (b) Any persons planning to adopt the child;

      (c) A sibling of the child, if known, who has been granted a right to visitation of the child pursuant to NRS 127.171 and his or her attorney, if any; and

      (d) Any other relatives of the child or providers of foster care who are currently providing care to the child.

      7.  The notice of the hearing required to be given pursuant to subsection 6:

      (a) Must include a statement indicating that if the child is placed for adoption the right to visitation of the child is subject to the provisions of NRS 127.171;

      (b) Must not include any confidential information described in NRS 127.140; and

      (c) Need not be given to a parent whose rights have been terminated pursuant to chapter 128 of NRS or who has voluntarily relinquished the child for adoption pursuant to NRS 127.040.

      8.  The court or panel may require the presence of the child at the hearing and shall provide to each person to whom notice was given pursuant to subsection 6 a right to be heard at the hearing.

      9.  The court or panel shall review:

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

      (b) The extent of compliance with the plan submitted pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 432B.540;

      (c) Any progress which has been made in alleviating the problem which resulted in the placement of the child; and

      (d) The date the child may be returned to, and safely maintained in, the home or placed for adoption or under a legal guardianship.

      10.  The provision of notice and a right to be heard pursuant to this section does not cause any person planning to adopt the child, any sibling of the child or any other relative, any adoptive parent of a sibling of the child or a provider of foster care to become a party to the hearing.

      (Added to NRS by 1985, 1384; A 1991, 1360; 1999, 2041; 2001, 1263, 1704; 2005, 2098; 2011, 146, 2665; 2013, 239)