Effective immediately, this directive clarifies the procedure in the FN docket for matters conducted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4C-12 (also known as Title 30 summary hearings), as approved by the Judicial Council. At the Title 30 summary hearing, the court determines whether a child’s health, safety or well-being is at risk. After the court completes a Title 30 summary hearing, a disposition hearing is conducted to address the next steps to remediate the risks to the child and to provide services to the family. This memorandum sets forth the steps for the Title 30 summary hearing and the disposition hearing. These steps are:
- The court conducts a Title 30 summary hearing and enters a Title 30 summary hearing order (CN 11705).
- The court shall then conduct a Title 30 disposition hearing and enter a disposition order (FN Multipurpose Order (CN 10261).
- Those orders shall be effective for a period not to exceed six months unless the court, at a subsequent Title 30 summary hearing, extends that time.
- The court shall conduct a status review every two to three months to monitor the progress of the case.
In subsequent proceedings, steps 1 and 2 of this procedure are repeated, and those orders again are effective for a period not to exceed six months until the court extends the time again or disposes of the matter.
The CIC Operations Manual has been revised to reflect this procedure.
cc: Family Presiding Judges
Children in Court Judges
Steven D. Bonville, Chief of Staff
AOC Directors and Assistant Directors
Special Assistants to the Administrative Director
David Tang, Chief, Family Practice
Family Division Managers and Assistant Family Division Managers
Jacqueline Augustine, Assistant Chief, Family Practice
Mona Prakash, Staff Attorney, Family Practice
Document Date: April 17, 2026
Publish Date: April 20, 2026