District Of Columbia § 16-2354 - Motions.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 16-2354 — Motions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-2354. Motions.
16-2354Except as provided by subsection (b)(3) of this section, a motion for the termination of the parent and child relationship may be filed by the District government or by the child through his or her legal representative.
A motion for the termination of the parent and child relationship:
May be filed when the child who is the subject of the motion has been adjudicated neglected at least 6 months prior to the filing of the motion and the child is in the court-ordered custody of a department, agency, institution, or person other than the parent;
May be filed immediately when, despite reasonable efforts, the parent could not be located for the fact finding hearing and during the period from the child’s removal from the home to the fact finding hearing; and
Except as provided in subsections (c) and (g) of this section, shall be filed by the District government if:
The child has been in court-ordered custody under the responsibility of the District for 15 of the most recent 22 months;
The Division has determined the child to be abandoned;
A court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the parent has:
Committed murder of a child sibling or another child;
Committed voluntary manslaughter of a child sibling or another child;
Aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such a murder or such a voluntary manslaughter; or
Committed a felony assault that has resulted in serious bodily injury to the child who is the subject of the petition, a child sibling, or another child; or
The Division has determined the child to be subject to intentional and severe mental abuse.
The District government shall seek to be joined as a party to a motion filed by the child if any of the factors in subsection (b)(3) of this section apply and the child has filed an adoption petition.
A motion for termination of the parent and child relationship shall include but not be limited to:
The name, sex, date and place of birth, and current placement of the child;
The name and title of the petitioner;
The name and address of the child’s parent;
A plain and concise statement of the facts and opinions on which the termination of the parent and child relationship is sought;
A specification as to the health of the child;
A statement as to the general prospects for or the barriers, if any, to the adoption of the child; and
A statement as to the various efforts taken by the moving party to locate the parent of the child.
When any facts required pursuant to subsection (d) of this section are not known to the moving party, if he or she shall so state in the motion, or on a motion by any party, for good cause shown, the judge may direct the filing of a bill of particulars to inform the moving party of the precise nature of the allegations contained in the motion for the termination of the parent and child relationship.
The Agency shall take steps to identify, recruit, process, and approve a qualified family for an adoption concurrently with the District government’s filing of the motion or its joinder to the petition.
The District government need not file a motion if the Agency determines and has documented in the case plan that:
The child is being cared for by an approved kinship caregiver and adoption is not the child’s permanency plan;
A compelling reason for determining that filing such a motion would not be in the best interest of the child; or
The District has not offered or provided to the family of the child, consistent with the time period in the case plan, such services as the District deems necessary for the safe return of the child to the child’s home, if reasonable efforts are required to be made with respect to the child pursuant to .
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 16-2354
What does D.C. Code § 16-2354 cover?
Section 16-2354 ("Motions.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 16-2354?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 16-2354" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 16-2354 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.