1. (a) At least 15 days prior to the hearing, the court or its designee shall give notice of the permanency hearing to:

   1. (1) all parties;
   2. (2) the attorney for the county agency;
   3. (3) the child’s attorney;
   4. (4) the guardian’s attorney;
   5. (5) the parents, child’s foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child;
   6. (6) the court appointed special advocate, if assigned;
   7. (7) the educational decision maker, if applicable;
   8. (8) the potential kinship care resource, if the child is removed from home or removal has been requested; and
   9. (9) any other persons as directed by the court.

2. (b) If a party intends to request a goal change from reunification, then either the notice shall state this purpose or the party shall give separate notice of the intended goal change in accordance with subdivision (a).

   Comment:

   Regarding subdivision (a)(8), see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 for the definition of ‘‘potential kinship care resource.’’ Once a potential kinship care resource has addressed the court as to the individual’s qualifications, the court is to decide whether the potential kinship care resource may receive notice of, or participate in, future hearings. See Pa.R.J.C.P. 1608(d)(1)(xviii). If the court decides that the potential kinship care resource is not to receive notice of future hearings, notice to that individual is no longer required.

   Given the significance of discontinuing the goal of reunification, the requirement of subdivision (b) is to ensure that parties, counsel, and interested persons have notice of the purpose of the hearing and are able to prepare for and attend the hearing.

Source

The provisions of this Rule 1601 amended April 29, 2011, effective July 1, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 2413; amended May 17, 2018, effective October 1, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 3321; amended December 1, 2025, effective July 1, 2026, 55 Pa.B. 8357. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (393118).