Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families Maryland

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: Family Law § 5-525(b)

Time-limited family reunification services to a child placed in an out-of-home placement and to the parent or guardian of the child, in order to facilitate the child's safe and appropriate reunification within a timely manner.

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: Family Law § 5-525(b)

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Prior to an out-of-home placement to prevent or eliminate the need for removing the child from home

To make it possible for a child to safely return home

If continuation of reasonable efforts is determined to be inconsistent with the permanency plan, effort to finalize a permanent placement for the child

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: Family Law §§ 5-313(d); 5-525.1

The parent has a disability that renders the parent unable to care for the child

The parent has abused any child or has repeatedly failed to provide adequate care and control

The child was born exposed to cocaine or heroin

The parent refuses drug treatment or fails to fully participate in treatment

The parent has subjected the child to torture of has been convicted of a crime of violence against a child

The child has been in out-of-home placement for 15 of the most recent 22 months

The child is an abandoned infant