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GA HB887
Bill
Status
Passed
4/26/2016
Primary Sponsor
Chuck Efstration
Click for details
AI Summary
- DFCS must prioritize placement of children taken into protective custody with relatives or fictive kin over nonrelated caregivers, provided the relative/fictive kin meets all placement requirements and it serves the child's best interests
- Courts must initially attempt to place children with relatives or fictive kin following termination or surrender of parental rights, considering factors such as legal permanence, least disruption, continuity of relationships, and biological/familial connections
- Creates the "Supporting and Strengthening Families Act," allowing a parent, guardian, or legal custodian to delegate temporary caregiving authority to a kinship caregiver (grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, sibling, or fictive kin) via a notarized power of attorney for up to one year without court approval
- The power of attorney may not be used to consent to marriage, adoption, abortion, or termination of parental rights, and may not be executed during a pending divorce/custody action or to subvert a DFCS child welfare investigation
- Military parents who are deployed may delegate caregiving authority for longer than one year, not to exceed the deployment term plus 30 days; noncustodial parents must receive 30 days' written notice before execution and may object within 21 days to block the power of attorney
Legislative Description
Courts; parental rights; prioritize placement of a child with an adult or fictive kin qualified to care for such child
Last Action
Effective Date
7/1/2016
Full Bill Text
No bill text available