Utah Code § 80-6-606

Validated risk and needs assessment -- Examination of minor or minor's parent or
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
guardian -- Temporary custody or appointment of guardian.
(1)
(a) If a minor is adjudicated for an offense under this chapter, the minor shall undergo a risk
screening or, if indicated, a validated risk and needs assessment.
(b) If a minor undergoes a risk screening or a validated risk and needs assessment, the results of
the screening or assessment shall be used to inform the juvenile court's disposition and any
case planning for the minor.
(c) If a minor undergoes a validated risk and needs assessment, the results of the assessment
may not be shared with the juvenile court before the adjudication of the minor.
(2) If the juvenile court's continuing jurisdiction over a minor's case is terminated, the minor shall
undergo a validated risk and needs assessment within seven days of the day on which an order
terminating the juvenile court's continuing jurisdiction is issued if:
(a) the minor is adjudicated under this chapter; and
(b) the minor underwent a validated risk and needs assessment under Subsection (1).
(3)
(a) If a petition under this chapter has been filed for a minor, a juvenile court may:
(i) order that the minor be examined by a physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, or psychologist; and
(ii) place the minor in a hospital or other facility for examination.
(b) After notice and a hearing set for the specific purpose, the juvenile court may order an
examination of a minor's parent or guardian whose ability to care for a minor is at issue if the
juvenile court finds from the evidence presented at the hearing that the parent's or guardian's

physical, mental, or emotional condition may be a factor in causing the delinquency of the
minor.
(c) An examination conducted in accordance with this Subsection (3) is not a privileged
communication under Utah Rules of Evidence, Rule 506(d)(3), and is exempt from the
general rule of privilege.
(4)
(a) Subject to Subsection (4)(b), if a petition under this chapter has been filed for a child, a
juvenile court may:
(i) place the child in the temporary custody of a relative or other suitable individual if the child's
parent or guardian consents to the placement;
(ii) appoint a guardian for the child if it appears a guardian is in the necessary interests of the
child and the child's parent or guardian consents to the appointment; or
(iii) place the child in the temporary custody of a relative or other suitable individual under
Subsection (4)(a)(i) or appoint a guardian for the child under Subsection (4)(a)(ii) without the
consent of the child's parent or guardian if the child's parent or guardian cannot be located
with reasonable diligence.
(b) The juvenile court may not grant temporary custody or a guardianship of a child to the
Division of Child and Family Services under Subsection (4)(a) to address the minor's
ungovernable or other behavior, mental health, or other disability, unless the Division of Child
and Family Services:
(i) engages other relevant divisions of the department in conducting an assessment of the child
and the child's family's needs;
(ii) based on an assessment under Subsection (4)(b)(i), determines that granting temporary
custody or a guardianship of the child to the Division of Child and Family Services is the
least restrictive intervention for the child that meets the child's needs; and
(iii) consents to the child being committed to the temporary custody of, or placed in a
guardianship, with the Division of Child and Family Services.

‹ Prev All Utah sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.