Reports to be Submitted by Child Protective Services; Social Worker Expertise

(a)Child Protective Services shall make every reasonable effort to submit written reports, or a written explanation regarding why a report is not being submitted timely, to the court with copies to the parties or their counsel or guardian ad litem.

(b)Report or reports pursuant to subsection

(a)specifically shall:

(1)Evaluate fully all relevant prior and current information concerning whether the child’s family is presently willing and able to provide the child with a safe family home, including, if the family previously entered into a voluntary or court ordered service plan, the parties’ success or failure in complying with, performing and completing, if possible, each and every term and condition of the service plan;

(2)In each proceeding, subsequent to adjudication, recommend

(A)A service plan as set forth in § 13304 or revisions to the existing service plan, and, if so, set forth the proposed services or revisions; or

(B)An award of permanent custody to an appropriate authorized agency, and, if so, set forth the basis for such recommendation which shall include but not be limited to an evaluation of each of the criteria set forth in § 13324 (a), including the written permanency plan as set forth in § 13323; and

(3)Set forth recommendations as to such other orders as are deemed to be appropriate and state the basis for recommending that such orders be entered.

(c)A written report submitted pursuant to subsection

(a)shall be admissible and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative value in any proceeding under this Chapter, except in a permanency plan hearing; provided, that the person or persons who prepared the report shall be subject to direct and crossexamination as to any matter in the report, unless such person is unavailable.