Section 27-20.3-20 - Termination of parental rights1. The court by order may terminate the parental rights of a parent with respect to the parent's child if:a. The parent has abandoned the child;b. The child is subjected to aggravated circumstances;c. The child is in need of protection and the court finds:(1) The conditions and causes of the need for protection are likely to continue or will not be remedied and for that reason the child is suffering or will probably suffer serious physical, mental, moral, or emotional harm; or(2) The child has been in foster care, in the care, custody, and control of the department or human service zone for at least four hundred fifty out of the previous six hundred sixty nights;d. The written consent of the parent acknowledged before the court has been given; ore. The parent has pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or has been found guilty of engaging in a sexual act under section 12.1-20-03 or 12.1-20-04, the sexual act led to the birth of the parent's child, and termination of the parental rights of the parent is in the best interests of the child.2. If the court does not make an order of termination of parental rights, it may grant an order under section 27-20.3-15 if the court finds from clear and convincing evidence that the child is in need of protection.Added by S.L. 2021 , ch. 245( HB 1035 ), § 23, eff. 7/1/2021.