Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families Maine

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: Tit. 22, § 4041(1-A)

A written rehabilitation plan that includes:
The services that address the problems in the family that present a risk of harm to the child
Provisions to ensure the safety of the child while the parent engages in those services

A means to measure the extent to which progress has been made

Visitation that protects the child's physical and emotional well-being

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: Tit. 22, § 4041(1-A)

To eliminate jeopardy to the child while in the care of the parent

To assist the parent in rehabilitating and reunifying with the child, as appropriate to the child and family

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: Tit. 22, §§ 4041(A-2); 4002(1-B)

The court may order that reunification efforts are not required it finds one of the following:

The existence of an aggravating factor

That continuation of reunification efforts is inconsistent with the permanency plan for the child

'Aggravating factor' means any of the following:

The parent has subjected the child to an aggravated circumstance including rape, gross sexual misconduct, gross sexual assault, sexual abuse, incest, aggravated assault, kidnapping, promotion of prostitution, abandonment, torture, or chronic abuse

The parent has been convicted of murder, manslaughter, or felony assault

The parental rights to a sibling have been terminated involuntarily

The parent has abandoned the child