Amends South Carolina adoption laws to redefine "special needs child" and expedite adoption processes.

This bill amends South Carolina adoption laws by changing the term "special needs child" to "child with challenging adoption circumstances." It mandates that final adoption hearings for such children occur within six months of filing the petition, with an option for a twelve-month extension if good cause is shown. The bill also prohibits charging fees for placing children with special needs in adoptive homes and mandates that the Department of Social Services file a petition to terminate parental rights within sixty days if a child is not to be returned to their parent.

Amends South Carolina adoption laws to redefine "special needs child" and expedite adoption processes.

This bill amends South Carolina adoption laws by changing the term "special needs child" to "child with challenging adoption circumstances." It mandates that final adoption hearings for such children occur within six months of filing the petition, with an option for a twelve-month extension if good cause is shown. The bill also prohibits charging fees for placing children with special needs in adoptive homes and mandates that the Department of Social Services file a petition to terminate parental rights within sixty days if a child is not to be returned to their parent.