Bill > LD922

This bill amends the existing procedure for filing a petition to terminate parental rights and responsibilities in Maine by modifying the legal requirements for such petitions. Specifically, the bill removes the previous requirement that a petition must be filed in the same case as a prior adjudication of parental rights and responsibilities, allowing more flexibility in the filing process. The bill maintains the existing detailed requirements for what must be included in the petition, which are comprehensive and designed to ensure clarity and fairness. The petition must still include crucial information such as the child's name and birth details, the petitioner's name and relationship to the child, the names of the child's parents, a summary of the grounds for termination, an explanation of the termination order's effects, and a clear statement informing the parent of their right to legal counsel, including the option to request court-appointed counsel if they cannot afford a lawyer. This modification aims to streamline the legal process while preserving important protections for all parties involved, particularly the child and the parent whose rights are being considered for termination.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=922&snum=132