Courts make a variety of decisions that affect children, including placement and custody determinations, safety and permanency planning, and proceedings for termination of parental rights. Whenever a court makes such a determination, it must weigh whether its decision will be in the “best interests” of the child.
This state-by-state report details the statutes that guide and restrict “best interest” determinations in each of the 50 states.
To read the full report, click here.