TITLE 15 COURTS

Section 11. Juvenile Code, 15-11-1 through 15-11-747.

ARTICLE 3 DEPENDENCY PROCEEDINGS

15-11-213. Disposition orders; considerations.

Any order of disposition shall contain written findings of fact to support the disposition and case plan ordered. Before making an order of disposition, the court shall consider the following:

1. Why the best interests and safety of a child adjudicated as a dependent child are served by the disposition and case plan ordered, including but not limited to:
   1. The interaction and interrelationship of such child with his or her parent, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests;
   2. Such child's adjustment to his or her home, school, and community;
   3. The mental and physical health of all individuals involved;
   4. The wishes of such child as to his or her placement;
   5. The wishes of such child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian as to such child's custody;
   6. Whether there exists a relative of such child or other individual who, after study by DFCS, is found to be qualified to receive and care for such child; and
   7. The ability of a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child adjudicated as a dependent child to care for such child in the home so that no harm will result to such child;
2. The availability of services recommended in the case plan;
3. What alternative dispositions or services under the case plan were considered by the court and why such dispositions or services were not appropriate in the instant case;
4. The appropriateness of the particular placement made or to be made by the placing agency; and
5. Whether reasonable efforts were made to prevent or eliminate the necessity of a child adjudicated as a dependent child's removal and to reunify his or her family after removal from the custody of his or her family unless reasonable efforts were not required. The court's findings should include a brief description of what preventive and reunification efforts were made and why further efforts could not have prevented or eliminated the necessity of such removal.

(Code 1981, §15-11-213, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.)