Section 15-11-301. (Effective January 1, 2014) Expedited hearings; orders

   (a) If no just cause has been shown for delay, all hearings contemplated by this article shall be conducted within 90 days of the date a petition to terminate parental rights is filed.

(b) If no just cause for delay has been shown by written finding of fact by the court, an order of disposition shall be issued by the juvenile court no later than 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights.

(c) All hearings contemplated by this article shall be recorded by stenographic notes or by electronic, mechanical, or other appropriate means capable of accurately capturing a full and complete record of all words spoken during the hearings. If no just cause for delay has been shown, the court reporter shall provide a transcript of the hearings no later than 30 days after a notice of appeal is filed.

(d) This Code section shall not affect the right to request a rehearing or the right to appeal the juvenile court's order.

(e) Failure to comply with the time requirements of this Code section shall not be grounds to invalidate an otherwise proper order terminating parental rights unless the court determines that such delay resulted in substantial prejudice to a party.

Code 1981, § 15-11-301, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.