Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:4116 Primary Sponsor:Neal Committee Number:27 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Juvenile delinquency proceeding, family assessment Residing Body:House Current Committee:Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Computer Document Number:436/11256AC.93 Introduced Date:19930414 Last History Body:House Last History Date:19930414 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Neal Inabinett Cobb-Hunter Whipper Hines Anderson Beatty Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved
____ ______ ____________ ______________________________ ___ ____________
4116 House 19930414 Introduced, read first time, 27
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-753 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE FAMILY COURT TO DESIGNATE A LEAD STATE AGENCY TO CONDUCT A FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMEND A SERVICE PLAN FOR FAMILIES WHEN A CHILD IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE FAMILY COURT IN A JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDING; TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO REVIEW THE ASSESSMENT AND ADOPT A PLAN THAT WILL SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD; AND TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-420, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER PARENTS OF A CHILD BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT ON A DELINQUENCY MATTER TO COOPERATE WITH AND PARTICIPATE IN A PLAN ADOPTED BY THE COURT TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 20-7-753. (A) In any juvenile delinquency proceeding before the family court, the court may designate a state agency as the lead agency to provide a family assessment to the court. The assessment must include, but is not limited to, the strengths and weaknesses of the family, problems interfering with the functioning of the family and with the best interests of the child, and recommendations for a comprehensive service plan to strengthen the family and assist in resolving these issues.
(B) The lead agency shall provide the family assessment to the court in a timely manner and the court shall conduct a hearing to review the proposed plan and adopt a plan as part of its order that will best meet the needs and best interest of the child. In arriving at a comprehensive plan, the court shall consider:
(1) additional testing or evaluation that may be needed;
(2) economic services including, but not limited to, employment services, job training, food stamps, and aid to families with dependent children;
(3) counseling services including, but not limited to, marital counseling, parenting skills, and alcohol and drug abuse counseling;
(4) and any other programs or services appropriate to the child's and family's needs.
(C) The lead agency is responsible for monitoring compliance with the court ordered plan and shall report to the court at such time as the court requires."
SECTION 2. Section 20-7-420 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered item to read:
"( ) to require the parent of a child brought before the court for adjudication of a delinquency matter and agencies providing services to the family to cooperate and participate in a plan adopted by the court to meet the needs and best interest of the child and to authorize the court to hold a parent or agency in contempt for failing to cooperate and participate in the plan adopted by the court."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.