A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws 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.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Section 63-9-750(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (A) The final hearing on the adoption petition must not be held before ninety days and no later than six months after the filing of the adoption petition. In the case of a special needs child, the hearing must not be held before ninety days and be held no later than twelve months after the filing of the adoption petition. In its discretion, upon good cause shown, the court may extend, or in the case of a special needs child extend or shorten the time within which the final hearing on the adoption petition may be held.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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