Terms Used In Louisiana Children's Code 1519

  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Voluntary transfer of custody: is a parent's knowing and voluntary relinquishment of legal custody to an agency, institution, or individual, subject to residual parental rights retained by the parent and under such terms and conditions that enable the child to receive adequate care and treatment. See Louisiana Children's Code 1511

The petition shall be set for hearing on the record unless specifically waived by the court.  If the Department of Children and Family Services, office of children and family services, has recommended that the petition for voluntary transfer of custody be filed, a representative for the department shall testify at the hearing with particularity the reasons for the recommendation.  Further, the department representative shall specify why a child in need of care petition should not be filed and shall testify regarding the preventative services offered by the department to the petitioner to prevent the transfer of custody.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §15, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2010, No. 266, §1.