Judges must ask about youths’ tribal status under new rule

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – A new federal rule will require judges in every state to ask whether a child is a Native American during foster-care and adoption proceedings.
Under the rule announced Wednesday by the Interior Department, judges also must ask about a child’s status as a tribal member during hearings to determine whether or not a mother or father’s parental rights will be terminated.
The rule goes into effect in December as part of the Indian Child Welfare Act – a