House approves concurrent-planning bill to speed permanency for children

The Utah House on Feb. 19 approved House Bill 156, the concurrent-planning measure intended to shorten the time children spend in state custody by requiring treatment plans and court hearings to include both a primary permanency goal (typically reunification) and a concurrent permanency goal if reunification appears unlikely.

Sponsor Representative Stevens described the bill’s main changes: treatment plans must be finalized within 45 days and explicitly state the primary and concurrent permanency goals and the reasons for choosing a concurrent plan. At the dispositional hearing the court will establish the primary goal and, where appropriate, a concurrent goal; at the permanency hearing both goals will be part of the final plan. The bill also directs county foster-care citizen review boards to review both primary and concurrent plans as part of their six-month case reviews, the sponsor said.

Representative Bolton and Representative Throckmorton offered amendments and argued for language that places more emphasis on family reunification and narrows statutory language that they said now favors the state. Stevens opposed changing the bill’s focus, saying the measure does not change parental rights and instead provides an additional tool to move children into permanent homes faster. “This will make it faster for the children in the state to get into a permanent placement,” Stevens said.

After debate the House adopted the bill as amended. Voting was recorded at 65 yes, 0 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

Why it matters: Supporters said concurrent planning reduces the time children remain in temporary placements by ensuring an alternate permanency plan is considered early, while opponents cautioned that wording changes could shift the statute’s emphasis and urged care to protect parental rights.

What’s next: The bill goes to the Utah Senate for consideration.