Section 15-11-622. (Effective January 1, 2014) Permanency planning requirements; reasons for failure to terminate parental rights

   (a) The permanency plan requirements under Code Sections 15-11-230, 15-11-231, and 15-11-232 shall apply to proceedings involving a child alleged or adjudicated to have committed a delinquent act and placed in foster care.

(b) In addition to the compelling reasons set forth in Code Section 15-11-233, a compelling reason for determining that filing a termination of parental rights petition is not in the best interests of a child alleged or adjudicated to have committed a delinquent act may include, but not be limited to:

   (1) A child's developmental needs require continued out-of-home placement for an additional number of months, and his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian has cooperated with referrals, visitation, and family conferences, as well as therapy;

   (2) A child is uncooperative with services or referrals; and

   (3) The length of the delinquency disposition affects the permanency plan.

Code 1981, § 15-11-622, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.