41-3-607. Petition for termination -- separate hearing -- no jury trial. (1) Except as provided in Title 41, chapter 3, part 8, the termination of a parent-child legal relationship may be considered only after the filing of a petition pursuant to 41-3-422 alleging the factual grounds for termination pursuant to 41-3-609.

(2) If termination of a parent-child legal relationship is ordered, the court may:

(a) transfer permanent legal custody of the child, with the right to consent to the child's adoption, to:

(i) the department;

(ii) a licensed child-placing agency; or

(iii) another individual who has been approved by the department and has received consent for the transfer of custody from the department or agency that has custody of the child; or

(b) transfer permanent legal custody of the child to the department with the right to petition for appointment of a guardian pursuant to 41-3-444.

(3) If the court does not order termination of the parent-child legal relationship, the child's prior legal status remains in effect until further order of the court.

(4) A guardian ad litem must be appointed to represent the child's best interests in any hearing determining the involuntary termination of the parent-child legal relationship. The guardian ad litem shall continue to represent the child until the child is returned home or placed in an appropriate permanent placement. If a respondent parent is a minor, a guardian ad litem must be appointed to serve the minor parent in addition to any appointed or assigned counsel requested by the minor parent.

(5) There is no right to a jury trial at proceedings held to consider the termination of a parent-child legal relationship.