Reference is to .
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 3.B., by striking the SECTION in its entirety and inserting:
/ B. Section 63-7-1700 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 238 of 2016, is further amended by adding a subsection at the end to read:
"( )(1) Any
person or entity may move to intervene in any court action
pertaining to the child and seek any relief pertaining to
custody of the child and the child's best interests pursuant to
the rules of civil procedure.
(2) With the permission of a parent, a relative has the
unconditional right to intervene in any court action pertaining
to the child and to seek any relief pertaining to custody of the
child and the child's best interests.
(3) When a child in an out-of-home placement
has resided with the same foster parent or other caregiver for
more than one hundred twenty days, the foster parent or
caregiver has the unconditional right to intervene in any court
action pertaining to the child and to seek any relief pertaining
to custody of the child and the child's best interests."
/
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, SECTION 8, by striking Section 63-9-370 (D) in its entirety and inserting:
/ (D) Upon a determination by the family court that the prospective adoptive parent is properly qualified to adopt the minor child and that the adoption appears to be in the best interests of the minor child, the court shall immediately order the transfer of custody of the minor child to the prospective adoptive parent, under the supervision of the child-placing agency, if any. The child-placing entity, if any, shall thereafter provide monthly supervision reports to the department until finalization of the adoption. If there is no child-placing agency involved, the department shall make monthly contact with the prospective adoptive parent until the finalization of the adoption pursuant to Section 63-9-750. If custody is transferred pursuant to this subsection, the department may not be a named party to the adoption action but shall receive notice of the final hearing pursuant to Section 63-9-750 and have the right to attend the hearing and to address the court concerning the child. The department may move to intervene or may otherwise be added as a party in the adoption action pursuant to the rules of civil procedure./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.