1. (a)

   1. (1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the court shall conduct a hearing to review the status of each child under its jurisdiction within 6 months after the filing of the first petition under this subtitle and at least every 6 months thereafter.

   2. (2) At a review hearing under this section, the court shall:

      1. (i) Evaluate the safety of the child;
      2. (ii) Determine the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of any out-of-home placement;
      3. (iii) Determine the appropriateness of and extent of compliance with the case plan for the child;
      4. (iv) Determine the extent of progress that has been made toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating the court's jurisdiction; and
      5. (v) Project a reasonable date by which the child may be returned to and safely maintained in the home or placed for adoption or under a legal guardianship.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The court shall conduct a hearing to review the status of a child placed in a qualified residential treatment program and determine the appropriateness of placement within 60 days after the child enters the placement.

   2. (2) At a hearing under this subsection, the court shall:

      1. (i) Review the assessment of the child conducted by a qualified individual;
      2. (ii) Consider whether the needs of the child can be met through placement in a foster family home;
      3. (iii) Consider whether placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate care for the child in the least restrictive environment; and
      4. (iv) Consider whether placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child as specified in the permanency plan.
   3. (3) The court shall state, in writing, the reasons for its decision to approve or disapprove the continued placement of a child in a qualified residential treatment program under this subsection.
3. (c) If a permanency plan for the child has been determined under § 3-823 of this subtitle, a review hearing conducted by the court under § 3-823(h) of this subtitle shall satisfy the requirements of this section.

Added by Acts 2013, c. 36, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013. Amended by Acts 2019, c. 497, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.