Question Presented (from Petition)
1. Whether 42 U.S.C. § 671(a)(15)(B), which mandates that reasonable efforts "shall be made" to reunify families, requires state courts to ensure that child welfare agencies made reasonable efforts toward reunification before terminating parental rights based solely on parents' failure to remedy the conditions that led to removal.
2. Whether the Due Process Clause requires a court-approved case plan providing parents with fair notice of what they must do to avert termination and preserve their fundamental right to parent their children.
Question Presented (AI Summary)
Whether 42 U.S.C. § 671(a)(15)(B) mandates state courts to ensure reasonable efforts toward family reunification before terminating parental rights, and whether the Due Process Clause requires a court-approved case plan providing parents fair notice to preserve their parental rights
2026-04-16
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/1/2026.
2026-04-13
Reply of D.B. & N.D. submitted.
2026-03-30
Brief of respondent Vermont Department for Children and Families in opposition filed.
2026-03-30
Brief of respondent Vermont in opposition filed.
2026-03-30
Brief of Vermont in opposition submitted.
2026-03-13
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is further extended to and including April 13, 2026.
2026-03-12
Letter of Vermont submitted.
2026-03-12
Letter from counsel for respondent filed.
2026-03-12
Motion to extend the time to file a response from March 13, 2026 to April 13, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2026-03-12
Motion of Vermont for an extension of time submitted.
2026-01-28
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including March 13, 2026.
2026-01-26
Motion to extend the time to file a response from February 11, 2026 to March 13, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2026-01-26
Motion of Vermont for an extension of time submitted.
2026-01-12
Response Requested. (Due February 11, 2026)
2025-12-31
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/16/2026.
2025-12-09
Waiver of right of respondent Vermont Department for Children and Families to respond filed.
2025-12-09
Waiver of right of respondent Vermont to respond filed.
2025-12-09
Waiver of Vermont of right to respond submitted.
2025-11-10
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due December 17, 2025)