Adoption

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-20, RELATING TO TERMS DEFINED IN THE CHILDREN'S CODE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF "ABANDONMENT OF A CHILD"; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-40, RELATING TO INFANT SAFE HAVENS, SO AS TO ALLOW THE PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS HEARING TO OCCUR IN THE SAME PROCEEDING, WITH EXCEPTIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-9-30, RELATING TO TERMS DEFINED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA ADOPTION ACT, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD"; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-9-320, RELATING TO PERSONS WHOSE CONSENT TO ADOPTION IS NOT REQUIRED, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE PARENT OF AN INFANT VOLUNTARILY LEFT WITH A SAFE HAVEN AND THE PARENT OF AN ABANDONED CHILD; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-9-510 AND 63-9-520, RELATING TO TEMPORARY PLACEMENT AND CUSTODY OF ADOPTEES AND ADOPTION INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS, RESPECTIVELY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE COURT TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN PREPLACEMENT REPORTS AND ANY POSTPLACEMENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 63-9-750, RELATING TO FINAL ADOPTION HEARINGS, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE MANDATORY NINETY-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO FINALIZE AN ADOPTION.