As amended through July 11, 2024
Rule 10.10 - Panel Review(a)Case Review. A judicial citizen review panel may elect to hear from any person who formally requests to be heard during a foster care case review, as long as such person has specific knowledge of the case and can assist the panel in the review process. Parents and children may be accompanied to the review by a representative of their choice and such representative may be permitted to provide information.(b)Presence of the Child. In the case where a child is present, any panel member may request of the chairperson that the panel members, Council staff, and other persons meet privately with the child if it is determined that this would facilitate the child's ability to communicate with the panel members.(c)Persons Who Shall Receive Notice of Reviews. The following persons shall be given written notice of the judicial citizen review panel reviews: all parties and specified nonparties listed in O.C.G.A. §§ 15-11-108 and 15-11-109 as well as Council staff.(d)Persons Who May Participate in Reviews. The following persons may participate in judicial citizen review panel reviews at the invitation of the panel: family members of the child, legal counsel for the parent(s) or the child, GAL, CASA and professionals and other citizens having specific knowledge of the case or special expertise that would benefit the panel review process.(e)Exclusion From the Review. The panel chairperson may remove any person from any review on his or her initiative or at the request of any participant if the panel chairperson determines that such removal is necessary for an orderly and thorough review of the case.(f)Oath of Confidentiality. Prior to participating in a judicial citizen review panel review, each person shall affirm by oath that he or she shall keep confidential all information disclosed during the panel review and any information related to the case and that such information may be disclosed only when authorized by law. In the event that any person violates the oath of confidentiality, such person shall be subject to the contempt powers of the court as provided by law.Amended May 2, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.