Art. 710. Order; appeal

            A. In a written judgment, the court shall make findings of fact regarding:

            (1) Whether the child can safely return to the custody of the parent, and shall order return of custody to the parent if it is safe to do so.

            (2) The permanent plan that is most appropriate and in the best interest of the child in accordance with the priorities of Article 702 (C).

            (3) Except as otherwise provided in Article 672.1, whether the department has made reasonable efforts, as defined in Article 603, to reunify the parent and child or to finalize the child's placement in an alternative safe and permanent home in accordance with the permanent plan.

            (4) Whether an out-of-state placement is safe, appropriate, and otherwise in the best interest of the child.

            (5) For children whose permanent plan is placement in the least restrictive, most family-like alternative permanent living arrangement, why, as of the date of the hearing, the plan is the best permanency plan for the child and provide compelling reasons why it continues to not be in the best interest of the child to return home, be placed for adoption, be placed with a legal guardian, or be placed with a suitable relative.

            B. The court may enter orders as are needed and appropriate to facilitate the timely achievement of each child's permanent plan, including the filing of a certification for adoption petition.

            C. An extract of minutes of court specifying the information in Paragraph A of this Article and signed by the court shall be considered a written judgment.

            D. Any person directly affected may appeal the findings or orders of the court rendered pursuant to this Article or Article 716.

            Acts 1991, No. 235, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 449, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 567, §1; Acts 2015, No. 124, §1, eff. June 19, 2015; Acts 2022, No. 272, §1.