Section 1509. Aids in Disposition

A. Examinations. The court may order the child, parent, guardian, or other person being considered as a dispositional placement resource to undergo any examination permitted by law, as it deems appropriate to aid in the decision for disposition.

B. Experts. Experts may be utilized during the dispositional hearing. Discovery pursuant to Rule 1340 shall occur prior to the dispositional hearing.

C. Family Service Plan or Permanency Plan. If the county agency has completed a family service plan or permanency plan, it shall be given to all parties immediately and submitted to the court upon request.

Comment

Section 6341(e) of the Juvenile Act requires the court to receive reports and other evidence bearing on the disposition. In re McDonough, 287 Pa. Super. 326, 430 A.2d 308 (1981).

For discovery rules for the dispositional hearing, see Rule 1340 and its Comments.

Because of time constraints, a family service plan might not be prepared prior to the original dispositional hearing. If the family service plan has been prepared, all parties are to receive the plan to prepare for the dispositional hearing. In all cases, the family service plan is to be completed by the county agency within sixty days of accepting a family for service. See 55 Pa. Code § 3130.61.

Official Note

Rule 1509 adopted August 21, 2006, effective February 1, 2007.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the provisions of Rule 1509 published with the Court’s Order at 36 Pa.B. 5571 (September 2, 2006).