1. A parent or guardian of a child who is in need of protection may place the child with a public agency authorized to care for children or a private institution or agency licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services or a county whose population is 100,000 or more to care for such children if:

(a) Efforts to keep the child in his or her own home have failed; and

(b) The parents or guardian and the agency or institution voluntarily sign a written agreement for placement of the child which sets forth the rights and responsibilities of each of the parties to the agreement.

2. If a child is placed with an agency or institution pursuant to subsection 1, the parent or guardian shall:

(a) If able, contribute to the support of the child during the temporary placement;

(b) Inform the agency or institution of any change in the address or circumstances of the parent or guardian; and

(c) Meet with a representative of the agency or institution and participate in developing and carrying out a plan for the possible return of the child to the custody of the parent or guardian, the placement of the child with a relative or the eventual adoption of the child.

3. A parent or guardian who voluntarily agrees to place a child with an agency or institution pursuant to subsection 1 is entitled to have the child returned to the physical custody of the parent or guardian within 48 hours of a written request to that agency or institution. If that agency or institution determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the child to return the child to the custody of the parent or guardian, it shall cause a petition to be filed pursuant to NRS 432B.490.

4. If the child has remained in temporary placement for 6 consecutive months, the agency or institution shall:

(a) Immediately return the child to the physical custody of the parent or guardian; or

(b) Cause a petition to be filed pursuant to NRS 432B.490.

5. The Division of Child and Family Services shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1376; A 1993, 2707; 2001 Special Session, 43)