Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...
Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...
Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...
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3rd Quarter Report: Achieved Senate Bill 192 was introduced and passed to allow 'uncontested adoption petitions should be heard<br />
as soon as possible but not later than 120 days…' O.C.G.A. 19-8-14 (a)<br />
Georgia's Reply: Goal Achieved<br />
DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED 3 RD Quarter: Attached summary <strong>of</strong> SB192 from Georgia General Assembly Web Site<br />
4 th Quarter Federal Response: State should clarify how the Senate Bill 192, as stated, actually decreases the length <strong>of</strong> time to<br />
adoptions hearings. The Senate Bill says 'uncontested adoption petitions should be heard as soon as possible but not later than 120<br />
days…' The State wanted the hearings to occur 15-30 days from filing <strong>of</strong> petition.<br />
5 th Quarter Report: The language <strong>of</strong> the law (O.C.G.A 19-8-14(a)) states:<br />
'It is the policy <strong>of</strong> this state that, in the best interest <strong>of</strong> the child, uncontested adoption petitions should be heard as soon as possible but<br />
not later than 120 days after the filing, unless the petitioner has failed to arrange <strong>for</strong> the court to receive the report required by the<br />
provisions <strong>of</strong> Code Section 19-8-16 or has otherwise failed to provide the court with all exhibits, surrenders, or certificates required by<br />
this chapter within that period…" It is important that the Georgia General Assembly has gone on record in recognition <strong>of</strong> the child's<br />
need <strong>for</strong> a prompt review <strong>for</strong> the petition <strong>for</strong> adoption as it is critical to all concerned that the adoption be finalized as soon as it can.'<br />
The state feels this legislative language is very strong and allows uncontested adoption petitions to be heard 'as soon as possible.'<br />
Previously adoption hearings could not be scheduled <strong>for</strong> at least 60 days or more after filing the petition. We will continue to monitor<br />
issues related to filing date and finalization under Action Step E-23.<br />
BARRIERS TO ACHIEVEMENT:<br />
E10 ACTION STEPS: Determine statutory changes needed that will impact length <strong>of</strong> time to achieve adoption (this action<br />
strategy was previously attached to the above strategy):<br />
Recommend change to section 15-11-103(d) <strong>of</strong> the O.C.G.A. to require post termination reviews every six<br />
months rather than annually.<br />
START COMPLETION RESPONSIBLE MEASURABLE<br />
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<strong>Safe</strong> <strong>Futures</strong> – A <strong>Plan</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Program</strong> <strong>Improvement</strong><br />
Georgia <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Human Resources<br />
March, 2004 Quarter 5 - Work <strong>Plan</strong> E Page 12
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