S.F. No. 342 authorizes a parent whose parental rights were terminated to file a petition for reestablishment of the parent and child relationship. Under current law, only a county attorney may initiate a petition for reestablishment of parental rights.

Section 1. Authorizes a parent to file a petition for reestablishment of parental rights. Removes the requirement that a child be 15 years or older before a petition is filed and increases the length of time a child must have been in foster care from 24 months to 48 months.

Section 2. Establishes minimum requirements for the content of a parent’s petition for reestablishment of parental rights. Requires the petitioning parent to notify the responsible social services agency of their intent to file at least 45 days before filing.

Section 3. Requires service of the petition upon the county attorney and the responsible social services agency.

Section 4. Makes conforming changes related to changes in section 1. Removes a requirement that a court must make findings related to the child’s age and modifies findings related to the length of time the child has been in foster care.

Section 5. Requires the court to make specific findings barring a parent from filing a subsequent petition if the court denies the parent’s reestablishment petition after a hearing.

Section 6. Repeals a provision prohibiting appeals of a county attorney’s decision not to file a petition for reunification.