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GA HB322
Bill
Status
Engrossed
3/3/2021
Primary Sponsor
Marcus Wiedower
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AI Summary
- Expands the duties of Georgia's Child Advocate for the Protection of Children to include supporting quality legal representation for parents and children in dependency proceedings by reviewing representation quality, establishing statewide performance standards, setting training recommendations, and coordinating with judicial districts
- Requires the Office of the Child Advocate to submit an annual report beginning January 1, 2023, to the Governor, General Assembly, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on the quality of legal representation in dependency proceedings, with recommendations for improvement
- Adds a new duty for the Office of the Child Advocate to provide periodic reports, including an annual written report with policy and procedure recommendations to improve children's health, safety, and welfare
- Extends the right to a court-appointed attorney to any child receiving extended care youth services from the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), in addition to alleged dependent children already entitled to representation
- Requires the Clerk's office to provide counsel with a hearing date within the statutory timeframe at the time a termination of parental rights petition is filed
Legislative Description
Juvenile Code; revise definition of sexual exploitation
Last Action
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
4/1/2022
Committee Referrals
Judiciary3/5/2021
Juvenile Justice2/8/2021
Full Bill Text
No bill text available