Florida § 39.0136 - Time limitations; continuances.

§ 39.0136. Time limitations; continuances.

(1) The Legislature finds that time is of the essence for establishing permanency for a child in the dependency system. Time limitations are a right of the child which may not be waived, extended, or continued at the request of any party except as provided in this section. (2)(a) All parties and the court must work together to ensure that permanency is achieved as soon as possible for every child through timely performance of their responsibilities under this chapter. (b) The department shall ensure that parents have the information necessary to contact their case manager. When a new case manager is assigned to a case, the case manager must make a timely and diligent effort to notify the parent and provide updated contact information. (3) The time limitations in this chapter do not include: (a) Periods of delay resulting from a continuance granted at the request of the child’s counsel, guardian ad litem, or attorney ad litem, if one is appointed. The court must consider the best interests of the child when determining periods of delay under this section. (b) Periods of delay resulting from a continuance granted at the request of any party if the continuance is granted: 1. Because of an unavailability of evidence that is material to the case if the requesting party has exercised due diligence to obtain evidence and there are substantial grounds to believe that the evidence will be available within 30 days. However, if the requesting party is not prepared to proceed within 30 days, any other party may move for issuance of an order to show cause or the court on its own motion may impose appropriate sanctions, which may include dismissal of the petition. 2. To allow the requesting party additional time to prepare the case and additional time is justified because of an exceptional circumstance. (c) Reasonable periods of delay necessary to accomplish notice of the hearing to the child’s parent or legal custodian; however, the petitioner shall continue regular efforts to provide notice to the parents during the periods of delay. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), in order to expedite permanency for a child, the total time allowed for continuances or extensions of time, including continuances or extensions by the court on its own motion, may not exceed 60 days within any 12-month period for proceedings conducted under this chapter. A continuance or extension of time may be granted only for extraordinary circumstances in which it is necessary to preserve the constitutional rights of a party or if substantial evidence exists to demonstrate that without granting a continuance or extension of time the child’s best interests will be harmed. (5) Notwithstanding subsection (3), a continuance or an extension of time is limited to the number of days absolutely necessary to complete a necessary task in order to preserve the rights of a party or the best interests of a child.