As amended through October 31, 2024
Rule 43.4 - Placement of Children in Custody(a) Before adjudication when DSS is the custodian of a child, should a child be moved from one placement to another, DSS shall inform the court of the change of placement within twenty-four hours.(b) In order to protect the statutory and constitutional liberty and due process rights of the child to placement in the least restrictive, most family-like setting suitable to the needs of the child, the custodial agency shall provide written notice to the court within twenty-four hours of a placement change for the child to a less family-like or more restrictive setting than previously approved by the court in the case plan. Disposition from the last court- approved case plan shall be filed in accordance with law.(c) When there has been a CINC adjudication and parental rights have been terminated, either by termination proceedings or by a voluntary act of surrender, the six month review hearing may be consolidated with the permanency placement review.(d) If a child is placed in a mental health treatment facility, the custodial agency shall inform the court within twenty-four hours, and the court shall appoint an attorney from the Mental Health Advocacy Service to represent the child pursuant to La. Child. Code art. 607(C).Adopted April 29, 2008, effective 7/1/2008; amended November 20, 2009, effective 1/1/2010.