hb303_LC_25_4881S_hs_4.html
07 LC 25 4881S

The House Committee on Judiciary offers the following substitute to HB 303:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 15-11-58 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reasonable efforts regarding reunification of family, reports and plans, custody orders when reunification found not to be in child´s best interest, duration of orders, review of determinations, hearings, and supplemental orders, so as to provide that the duration of certain orders in deprivation proceedings may be extended for longer periods under certain circumstances; to provide for other party´s ability to file certain motions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Code Section 15-11-58 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to reasonable efforts regarding reunification of family, reports and plans, custody orders when reunification found not to be in child´s best interest, duration of orders, review of determinations, hearings, and supplemental orders, is amended by revising subsection (n) as follows:
"(n) The court which made the order may extend its duration for one or more periods of not more than 12 months if:
(1) A hearing is held upon motion of the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Resources or any other party in interest as recognized by the court prior to the expiration of the order;
(2) Reasonable notice of the factual basis of the motion and of the hearing and opportunity to be heard are given to the parties affected; and
(3) The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the extension is necessary to accomplish the purposes of the order extended and is in the best interest of the child."

SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.