Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 196 - Human Services Department
Chapter 9560 - SOCIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
Part 9560.0221 - CRITERIA FOR SEEKING CHILD'S REMOVAL FROM HOME

A. the child is an Indian child as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 260.755, subdivision 8; and if so, the agency must follow the process in subpart 3;

B. the agency has made reasonable efforts except as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 260.012, paragraph (a), to provide services that are:

C. in the case of child maltreatment, the alleged offender can be removed from the child's home;

D. a caregiver is willing and able to protect the child if the alleged offender cannot be removed from the child's home; or

E. the child and child's caregiver are informed of the services and accept the services the agency offers.

A. If the local agency determines that a child is in imminent danger of maltreatment and that the actions in subpart 1 would not ensure the child's safety, then an emergency exists and the agency must seek removal of the child from the home according to part 9560.0220, subpart 9, or obtain an appropriate protective court order.

B. The local agency may seek legal authority to place the child in foster care in nonemergency circumstances when:

A. The agency must seek emergency removal of any Indian child who is temporarily or permanently located off the reservation if necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the child. The agency must expeditiously initiate a child custody proceeding subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, chapter 21, subchapter I, section 1915, transfer the child to the jurisdiction of the appropriate tribe, or restore the child to the parent. The emergency placement must terminate immediately when it is no longer necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the child.

B. If the agency believes it will be involved with an Indian child for more than 30 days, it must notify the child's tribe of the potential for foster care placement within seven days of determining that the child might be placed out of the home.

C. If the Indian child resides on a reservation with jurisdiction over child welfare matters or is a ward of a tribal court, the agency may not seek nonemergency removal of the child even when the maltreatment occurs off the reservation. In nonemergency cases, the agency must refer the Indian child to tribal social services.

D. In cases involving an Indian child who is not a resident of or domiciled on a reservation, the agency may seek nonemergency removal of the child only if clear and convincing evidence can show that the child is likely to suffer serious emotional or physical damage in the care of the parent or Indian custodian.

E. An agency removing an Indian child must satisfy the court that active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful. Active efforts include, but are not limited to, soliciting the advice of tribal representatives and, if the parents do not object, members of the child's extended family.

F. Removal of an Indian child requires testimony by a qualified expert witness as to the likelihood of harm from continued residence with the parent or Indian custodian.

G. A "qualified expert witness" means: