§ 1090-a. Participation of children in their permanency hearings.
(a)(1) As provided for in subdivision (d) of section one thousand
eighty-nine of this article, the permanency hearing shall include an age
appropriate consultation with the child.

(2) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, children age ten
and over have the right to participate in their permanency hearings and
a child may only waive such right following consultation with his or her
attorney.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit the ability of a
child under the age of ten years old from participating in his or her
permanency hearing. Additionally, nothing herein shall be deemed to
require an attorney for the child to make a motion to allow for such
participation. The court shall have the discretion to determine the
manner and extent to which any particular child under the age of ten may
participate in his or her permanency hearing based on the best interests
of the child.

(b)(1) A child age fourteen and older shall be permitted to
participate in person in all or any portion of his or her permanency
hearing in which he or she chooses to participate.

(2) For children who are at least ten years of age and less than
fourteen years of age, the court may, on its own motion or upon the
motion of the local social services district, limit the child's
participation in any portion of a permanency hearing or limit the
child's in person participation in any portion of a permanency hearing
upon a finding that doing so would be in the best interests of the
child. In making a determination pursuant to this paragraph the court
shall consider the child's assertion of his or her right to participate
and may also consider factors including, but not limited to, the impact
that contact with other persons who may attend the permanency hearing
would have on the child, the nature of the content anticipated to be
discussed at the permanency hearing, whether attending the hearing would
cause emotional detriment to the child, and the child's age and maturity
level. If the court determines that limiting a child's in person
participation is in his or her best interests, the court shall make
alternative methods of participation available, which may include
bifurcating the permanency hearing, participation by telephone or other
available electronic means, or the issuance of a written statement to
the court.

(c) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, a child who has
chosen to participate in his or her permanency hearing shall choose the
manner in which he or she shall participate, which may include
participation in person, by telephone or available electronic means, or
the issuance of a written statement to the court.

(d)(1) For children who are age ten and over, the attorney for the
child shall consult with the child regarding whether the child would
like to assert his or her right to participate in the permanency hearing
and if so, the extent and manner in which he or she would like to
participate.

(2) The attorney for the child shall notify the attorneys for all
parties and the court at least ten days in advance of the scheduled
hearing whether or not the child is asserting his or her right to
participate, and if so, the manner in which the child has chosen to
participate.

(3) (i) The court shall grant an adjournment whenever necessary to
accommodate the right of a child to participate in his or her permanency
hearing in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph two of this subdivision, the failure of
an attorney for the child to notify the court of the request of a child
age ten or older to participate in his or her permanency hearing shall
not be grounds to prevent such child from participating in his or her
permanency hearing unless a finding to limit the child's participation
is made in accordance with paragraph two of subdivision (b) of this
section.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, upon
the consent of the attorney for the child, the court may proceed to
conduct a permanency hearing if the attorney for the child has not
conducted a meaningful consultation with the child regarding his or her
participation in the permanency hearing if the court finds that:

(i) The child lacks the mental capacity to consult meaningfully with
his or her attorney and cannot understand the nature and consequences of
the permanency hearing as a result of a significant cognitive limitation
as determined by a health or mental health professional or educational
professional as part of a committee on special education and such
limitation is documented in the court record or the permanency hearing
report;

(ii) The attorney for the child has made diligent and repeated efforts
to consult with the child and the child was either unresponsive,
unreachable, or declined to consult with his or her attorney; provided,
however that the failure of a foster parent or agency to cooperate in
making the child reachable or available shall not be grounds to proceed
without consulting with the child;

(iii) At the time consultation was attempted, the child was absent
without leave from foster care; or

(iv) Demonstrative evidence that other good cause exists and cannot be
alleviated in a timely manner.

(e) If an adjournment is granted pursuant to paragraph three of
subdivision (d) of this section, the court may, upon its own motion or
upon the motion of any party or the attorney for the child, make a
finding that reasonable efforts have been made to effectuate the child's
approved permanency plan as set forth in subparagraph (iii) of paragraph
two of subdivision (d) of section one thousand eighty-nine of this
article; such finding shall be made in a written order.

(f) Nothing in this section shall contravene the requirements
contained in subparagraph (ii) of paragraph one of subdivision (a) of
section one thousand eighty-nine of this article that the permanency
hearing be completed within thirty days of the scheduled date certain.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to compel a child who
does not wish to participate in his or her permanency hearing to do so.