SB 167

SB 167, enacted into law on May 2, 2019, amended Georgia’s Juvenile Code in important ways. Both the Georgia House of Representatives and State Senate unanimously passed the bill Signifying the priority placed on the well-being, stability, and best interests of children.

Under the law:

• Because family is a priority, the court will consider whether the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) has completed a diligent search for relatives or other persons who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the child.

• Recognizing the developmental attachment timeline of a child, if an identified relative does not demonstrate an interest in providing a permanent home within six months of notification, the court may excuse DFCS from considering that relative as a placement.

• Understanding that the child’s emotional well-being is at stake, the law now provides that the continuation of the child’s placement with his or her caregivers may be in the child’s best interests.

• With the emphasis of identifying relative placement earlier in the case, a directive for the court, at the termination of parental rights or voluntary surrender, to initially attempt to place a child with a relative or fictive kin has been removed.