Staff Analysis of the Legislation
|
SB 131 amends Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the OCGA by revising section 15-11-35 by specifying that orders granting a petition to terminate parental rights shall stay an adoption proceeding until the petition becomes final, except for proceedings in connection with adoption. The court would continue hearings and issue orders while the appeal is still pending. Additionally, SB 131 amends a child's right to waive counsel by only allowing the child to waive their right, "provided that such waiver is made knowingly, voluntarily, and on the record," (Line 36-37). |