Termination of Parental Rights

The Adoption and Safe Families Act requires state agencies to file a petition to terminate parental rights (TPR) and concurrently, identify, recruit, process and approve a qualified adoptive family on behalf of any child, regardless of age, that has been in foster care for 15 out of the most recent 22 months.

Upon hearing a TPR case, the court makes the determination to eliminate parental rights to the child including rights to visit, communicate and obtain information about the child.

The termination of parental rights does not terminate court or agency oversight of the child. If a court grants TPR, the child’s case continues with six month Permanency Hearings (or more frequently as determined by the court) until a permanent placement (typically adoption) can be found for the child.