169-C:2 Purpose. –
I. It is the primary purpose of this chapter, through the mandatory reporting of suspected instances of child abuse or neglect, to provide protection to children whose life, health or welfare is endangered. The best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration of the court in all proceedings under this chapter.
II. It is a further purpose of this chapter to establish a judicial framework to protect the rights of all parties involved in the adjudication of child abuse or neglect cases. Each child coming within the provisions of this chapter shall receive, preferably in the child's own home, the care, emotional security, guidance, and control that will promote the child's best interest; and, if the child should be removed from the control of his or her parents, guardian, or custodian, adequate care shall be secured for the child. This chapter seeks to coordinate efforts by parents and state and local authorities, in cooperation with private agencies and organizations, citizens' groups, and concerned individuals, to:
(a) Protect the safety of the child.
(b) Take such action as may be necessary to prevent the abuse or neglect of children.
(c) Determine if the preservation of family unity is in the best interest of the child.
(d) Provide protection, treatment, and rehabilitation, as needed, to children placed in alternative care.
(e) Provide assistance to parents to deal with and correct problems in order to avoid removal of children from the family.
III. This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that its purpose may be carried out, to wit:
(a) To encourage the mental, emotional, and physical development of each child coming within the provisions of this chapter, by providing the child with the protection, care, treatment, counseling, supervision, and rehabilitative resources which the child needs and has a right to receive.
(b) To achieve the foregoing purposes and policies, whenever it is in the best interest of the child, by keeping a child in contact with his or her home community and in a family environment by preserving the unity of the family and separating the child from his or her parents only when the safety of the child is in danger or when it is clearly necessary for the child's welfare or the interests of the public safety and when it can be clearly shown that a change in custody will be in the best interest of the child; and
(c) To provide effective judicial procedures through which the provisions of this chapter are executed and enforced and which recognize and enforce the constitutional and other rights of the parties and assures them a fair hearing.
Source. 1979, 361:2. 1983, 331:1, 2, eff. Aug. 17, 1983. 2017, 156:197, eff. July 1, 2017. 2020, 26:37, eff. July 20, 2020.