Sec 8-842. Initial dependency and dependency adjudication hearings; deadlines

A. Except as provided in section 8-826, the court shall set the initial dependency hearing within twenty-one days after the petition is filed. If service by publication is required, the court may set an initial dependency hearing within a time period to allow for publication pursuant to the rules of procedure for the juvenile court.

B. At the initial dependency hearing, the court shall:

1. Order the parent or guardian to provide the court with the names, the type of relationship and all available information necessary to locate persons who are related to the child or who have a significant relationship with the child. If there is not sufficient information available to locate a relative or person with a significant relationship with the child, the parent or guardian shall inform the court of this fact. The court shall order the parent or guardian to inform the department immediately if the parent or guardian becomes aware of information related to the existence or location of a relative or person with a significant relationship with the child.

2. Determine that the department is attempting to identify and assess placement of the child with a grandparent or another member of the child's extended family including a person who has a significant relationship with the child.

3. If the child has siblings, determine that the department is attempting to identify and assess placement of the child with the child's siblings if this is possible and is in the child's best interests.

C. The court may continue the initial dependency hearing for good cause, but, unless the court has ordered in-home intervention, the dependency adjudication hearing shall be completed within ninety days after service of the dependency petition. The time limit for completing the dependency adjudication hearing may be extended for up to thirty days if the court finds good cause or in extraordinary cases as prescribed by the supreme court by rule.