Senate Bill 61

Chair's Name: Wendell Willard

Committee: Judiciary

Senate Sponsor: Jeff Mullis

House Sponsor: Jay Neal

SB 61 makes changes to the background check requirements for people seeking to become adoptive parents. The court will require the petitioner to submit to a criminal history records check directly through the Georgia Crime Information Center, which will conduct a nationwide background check, rather than running the check through the child placement agency. The center must then notify the court in writing the results of the background check.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Judiciary Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Willard�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

HB61 protects our children by streamlining the background check process to close a loophole in which certain applicants for adoption do not have a nationwide background check.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure

Will help ensure safe homes for adopted children