Permanency Planning Maine

Best Interests of the Child

Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4055(2)-(3) (West, WESTLAW through 5-30-03)

Law:

In deciding to terminate parental rights, the court shall consider the best interest of the child, the needs of the child, including the child's age, the child's attachments to relevant persons, periods of attachment and separation, the child's ability to integrate into a substitute placement or back into the parent's home, and the child's physical and emotional needs.

The court shall consider, but is not bound by, the wishes of a child 12 years of age or older in making an order under this section.

Concurrent Planning

Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4041(1-A)(E) (West, WESTLAW through 5-30-03)

Law:

The department may make reasonable efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian concurrently with reunification efforts if potential adoptive parents have expressed a willingness to support the rehabilitation and reunification plan.