(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, the facts supporting any finding made or relief granted under this section must be established by a preponderance of evidence.
(3) Upon the filing of a motion to establish guardianship under this section, the court shall make a finding, subject to the procedures under ORS 419B.636 (4), regarding whether there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child.
(4)(a) The court may grant the guardianship of an Indian child only:
(A) If the court has offered the parties the opportunity to participate in mediation as required under ORS 419B.517;
(B) If requested by the tribe, an agreement is in place that requires the proposed guardian to maintain connection between the Indian child and the Indian child’s tribe; and
(C) If after inquiry as required under ORS 419B.636 (2) and notice as required under ORS 419B.639 (2), the court:
(i) Finds, by clear and convincing evidence, including the testimony of one or more qualified expert witnesses under ORS 419B.642, that the continued custody of the Indian child by the child’s parent or custody by the child’s Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child;
(ii) Finds that active efforts under ORS 419B.645 to reunite the Indian family did not eliminate the necessity for guardianship based on serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child; and
(iii) Finds that the placement of the Indian child complies with the placement preferences as described in ORS 419B.654 (1) or, if not, upon the moving party’s motion under ORS 419B.654 (3), the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that there is good cause to depart from the placement preferences.
(b) The evidence under paragraph (a) of this subsection must show a causal relationship between the particular conditions in the Indian child’s home and the likelihood that custody or continued custody of the Indian child will result in serious emotional or physical damage to the particular Indian child who is the subject of the child custody proceeding, as defined in ORS 419B.603. Evidence that shows the existence of community or family poverty, isolation, single parenthood, custodian age, crowded or inadequate housing, substance abuse or nonconforming social behavior does not, by itself, establish a causal relationship as required by this paragraph.
(c) As used in this subsection, "custody" and "continued custody" have the meanings described in ORS 419B.606.
(4) In a proceeding under this section, the court may receive testimony and reports as provided in ORS 419B.325.
(5) If the court has approved a plan of guardianship under ORS 419B.476, the court may grant the motion for guardianship if the court determines, after a hearing, that:
(a) The ward cannot safely return to a parent within a reasonable time;
(b) Adoption is not an appropriate plan for the ward;
(c) The proposed guardian is suitable to meet the needs of the ward and is willing to accept the duties and authority of a guardian; and
(d) Guardianship is in the ward’s best interests. In determining whether guardianship is in the ward’s best interests, the court shall consider the ward’s wishes.
(6) Unless vacated pursuant to ORS 419B.368, a guardianship established under this section continues as long as the ward is subject to the court’s jurisdiction as provided in ORS 419B.328. [2003 c.229 §2; 2007 c.333 §2; 2020 s.s.1 c.14 §44; 2021 c.398 §61]