09 LC 33
2754
House
Bill 237
By:
Representatives Lindsey of the
54th
and Peake of the
137th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 49-5-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
the powers and duties of the Department of Human Resources with respect to
programs and protection for children, so as to revise a provision relating to
financial assistance for adoptive parents; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 49-5-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers
and duties of the Department of Human Resources with respect to programs and
protection for children, is amended by revising subparagraph (a)(7)(F) as
follows:
"(F)
Providing financial assistance
after the
consummation of a legal adoption to
families adopting children
who would
otherwise remain in foster care at state
expense
once the child
has been placed for adoption through either a public or private agency,
determined eligible for assistance, and the adoption assistance agreement has
been signed by all parties. Financial
assistance may only be granted for hard-to-place children with physical, mental,
or emotional disabilities or with other problems for whom it is difficult to
find a permanent home. Financial assistance may not exceed 100 percent of the
amount that
would have been paid for boarding such
child and for special services such as medical care not available through
insurance or public facilities. Such supplements shall only be available to
families who could not provide for the child adequately without continued
financial
assistance.
The department may review the supplements paid at any time but shall review them
at least annually to determine the need for continued
assistance;"
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.