SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Thursday, the Minnesota House unanimously approved HF 554, a bill authored by Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), that allows parents, who had previously had their parental rights terminated for non-egregious harm, to directly seek reestablishment of these rights from the courts. Currently, only a county attorney is able to make this petition.
“We all share the value that families belong together and believe that children are to be protected, loved, and nurtured,” Rep. Moran said. “Sometimes though, the policies that drive our child welfare system don’t reflect what’s in the best interest of a child. This bill would allow a parent, if a court determines it’s in the child’s best interest and the parent has their life back on track, to reestablish their parental rights. This will ultimately help children reach their full potential.”
These petitions would only be allowed in cases in which the rights were terminated for non-egregious harm, such as chemical dependency or mental illness, and not for physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. Continue reading “House approves Rep. Moran bill providing pathway to reestablishment of parent/child relationships”