reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 63-9-2220 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2220. "Appropriate public authorities" defined.

 The "appropriate public authorities" as used in Subsection 3 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, with reference to this State, means the South Carolina Department of Social Services for adoptive and foster care purposes. The department shall receive and act with reference to notices required by Subsection 3.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-9-2230 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2230. "Appropriate authority in receiving state" defined.

 As used in item (a) of Subsection 5 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, "appropriate authority in the receiving state" with reference to this State means the Department of Social Services as the compact administrator.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-9-2240 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2240. Agreements with other compact states.

 The officers and agencies of this State and its subdivisions having authority to place children are empowered to enter into agreements with appropriate officers or agencies of or in other party states pursuant to item (b) of Subsection 5 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Any agreement which contains a financial commitment or imposes a financial obligation of this State or subdivision or agency of it is not binding unless it has the approval in writing of the State Treasurer in the case of the State and of the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in the case of a subdivision of the State, as their respective functions and duties may appear and be appropriate pursuant to this article.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-9-2250 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2250. Visitation, inspections by agreement.

 Any requirements for visitation, inspection or supervision of children, homes, institutions or other agencies in another party state which may apply shall be deemed to be met if performed pursuant to an agreement entered into by appropriate officers or agencies of this State or a subdivision thereof as contemplated by item (b) of Subsection 5 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-9-2260 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2260. Out-of-state placements.

 There shall be no legal restrictions on out-of-state placements made pursuant to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-9-2270 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2270. Placement of delinquent children.

 Any court having jurisdiction to place delinquent children may place such a child in an institution in another state pursuant to Subsection 6 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and shall retain jurisdiction as provided in Subsection 5 thereof.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-9-2280 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2280. "Executive head" defined.

 As used in Subsection 7 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, "executive head" means the Governor. The Governor is authorized to designate the Department of Social Services as the compact administrator in accordance with the terms of Subsection 7.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-9-2290 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 9 - Adoptions|Section 63-9-2290. Promulgation of procedures governing interstate adoptive and foster care.

 The Department of Social Services shall promulgate procedures to govern all aspects of interstate adoptive and interstate foster care placements.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-10 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-10. "Child welfare agency" defined.

 Any agency, institution or family home engaged in the business of receiving children for care and maintenance, either part or full time, shall be classed as a child welfare agency.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-20 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-20. Exemptions.

 (A) This article does not apply to:  (1) child welfare agencies operating under the active supervision of a governing board representing an established religious denomination, except as these agencies voluntarily assume the obligations and acquire the rights provided by this article;  (2) any children's home or institution to which state funds are appropriated;  (3) the John de la Howe School in McCormick County; provided, that the board of trustees of that school may elect to be licensed by the department, in which case the board of trustees shall request, by resolution, the department to license the John de la Howe School. When a license has been issued to the John de la Howe School by the department, pursuant to this article, the school is bound by all regulations promulgated by the department relating to licensing standards and other matters pertaining to licensing standards;  (4) rescue missions or other similar charitable institutions organized before May 8, 1959, for the purpose of providing temporary care and custody of children and other needy persons and operating under a local board of trustees pursuant to and authorized by law.  (B) However, a foster care facility which does not receive state or federal financial assistance, operated by a local church congregation or established religious denomination or religious college or university must register with the department and report the number of children kept at the facility with the State Department of Social Services by January second of every year. These facilities must pass annual inspections by state or local authorities for compliance with the fire, health, and sanitation requirements.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-30 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-30. Department of Social Services to administer article.

 The department shall administer the provisions of this article and shall make and promulgate such rules and regulations relating to licensing standards and other matters as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-40 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-40. Temporary crisis placements.

 (A) The department is authorized to develop a network of homes and facilities to use for temporary crisis placements for children.  (B) Temporary crisis placements may be made with licensed child welfare agencies including foster homes and residential group facilities. The department also may use volunteers who are screened by the department for the sole purpose of these placements. The screening of volunteer crisis homes shall include Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect and criminal history records checks in accordance with Section 63-7-2340. The department shall develop criteria for screening volunteer crisis homes through promulgation of regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.  (C) Children in temporary crisis placements are not in the custody of the department and must not be considered to be in foster care. No placement of a child in a temporary crisis home or facility may occur unless it is agreed to by the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and the department. Temporary crisis placements may last no longer than seventy-two hours.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-50 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-50. License revocation or refusal to renew.

 The department may revoke the license of any child welfare agency which fails to maintain the proper standards of care and service to children in its charge or which violates any provision of this article. No license shall be revoked or its renewal refused except upon thirty days' written notice thereof. Upon appeal from such revocation or refusal to renew a license, the department shall, after thirty days' written notice thereof, hold a hearing, at which time the agency shall be given an opportunity to present testimony and confront witnesses. An appeal of the agency's decision may be made to an administrative law judge pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-60 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-60. Placing children in family homes.

 A licensed child welfare agency may place children in family homes for care, if authorized to do so by the department. Any child so placed may be taken from such family home when the child welfare agency responsible for his care is satisfied that the child's welfare requires such action.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-70 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-70. Background checks; pardons.

 When a provision of law or regulation provides for a criminal history background check in connection with licensing, placement, service as a volunteer, or employment with a child welfare agency, the provision of law or regulation may not operate to prohibit licensing, placement, service as a volunteer, or employment when a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere has been pardoned. However, notwithstanding the entry of a pardon, the department, child welfare agency, or employer may consider all information available, including the person's pardoned convictions or pleas and the circumstances surrounding them, to determine whether the person is unfit or otherwise unsuited for licensing, placement, service as a volunteer, or employment.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-80 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-80. Prohibition against certain disclosures of information; exception.

 An officer, agent or employee of the department or a child welfare agency shall not disclose, directly or indirectly, information learned about a child, the child's parents or relatives, or other persons having custody or control of the child, except in cases involving a child in the custody or control of persons who have military affiliation.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2; 2015 Act No. 62 (H.3548), Section 4, eff June 4, 2015.  Effect of Amendment  2015 Act No. 62, Section 4, rewrote the section.
SC Code § 63-11-90 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-90. Penalties.

 Any person and any officer, agent or employee of the department or of a child welfare agency who violates any of the provisions of this article, or who shall intentionally make any false statement to the department shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-400 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-400. Short title.

 This article may be cited as the "South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System Act".  HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 153 (H.4347), Section 1, eff April 7, 2014.
SC Code § 63-11-410 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-410. South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System.

 There is created the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System, a program to provide coordination and administration of medical service resources to those entities responding to cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. The program is administered by the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.  HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 153 (H.4347), Section 1, eff April 7, 2014.
SC Code § 63-11-420 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-420. Definitions.

 For purposes of this article:  (1) "Child" has the same meaning as provided for in Section 63-7-20.  (2) "Child abuse or neglect" has the same meaning as provided for in Section 63-7-20.  (3) "Children's advocacy centers" has the same meaning as provided for in Section 63-11-310.  (4) "Program" means the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System, created pursuant to this article.  (5) "Health care provider" means a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant licensed to practice in this State pursuant to Article 1, Chapter 47, Title 40, Article 1, Chapter 33, Title 40, and Article 7, Chapter 47, Title 40, respectively.  HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 153 (H.4347), Section 1, eff April 7, 2014.
SC Code § 63-11-430 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-430. Program requirements.

 (A) The program coordinates and administers child abuse medical service resources for the State, assisting and collaborating with children's advocacy centers and state agencies charged with the investigation, assessment, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse or neglect for children in the State.  (B) The program shall develop, support, and maintain a consistent quality standard of care and practice for the following services intrinsic to the assessment of children with suspected abuse or neglect:  (1) forensic medical examinations, assessments, and diagnoses;  (2) medical consultations;  (3) participation in multidisciplinary team case conferences and reviews; and  (4) medical expert witness services.  (C) The program also shall develop, support, and maintain:  (1) guidelines for the educational, clinical training, and professional development requirements of health care providers participating in the forensic medical assessment of children who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect;  (2) a standardized clinical assessment tool to report the findings of the forensic medical assessment; and  (3) guidelines for the South Carolina Department of Social Services and law enforcement agencies on when to obtain a forensic medical assessment.  (D) The program shall collect and manage data from child abuse health care providers participating in the program, children's advocacy centers, and children's hospitals for the purposes of establishing quality assurance programs, research, and public policy guidance.  HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 153 (H.4347), Section 1, eff April 7, 2014.
SC Code § 63-11-510 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-510. Responsibilities of guardian ad litem.

 The responsibilities and duties of a guardian ad litem are to:  (1) represent the best interests of the child;  (2) advocate for the welfare and rights of a child involved in an abuse or neglect proceeding;  (3) conduct an independent assessment of the facts, the needs of the child, and the available resources within the family and community to meet those needs;  (4) maintain accurate, written case records;  (5) provide the family court with a written report, consistent with the rules of evidence and the rules of the court, which includes without limitation evaluation and assessment of the issues brought before the court and recommendations for the case plan, the wishes of the child, if appropriate, and subsequent disposition of the case;  (6) monitor compliance with the orders of the family court and to make the motions necessary to enforce the orders of the court or seek judicial review;  (7) protect and promote the best interests of the child until formally relieved of the responsibility by the family court.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-520 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-520. Persons prohibited from appointment as guardians ad litem.

 No person may be appointed as a guardian ad litem for a child in an abuse or neglect proceeding who has been convicted of any crime listed in Chapter 3 of Title 16, Offenses Against the Person, in Chapter 15 of Title 16, Offenses Against Morality and Decency, in Article 3 of Chapter 53 of Title 44, Narcotics and Controlled Substances, or for the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, provided for in Section 16-17-490.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-530 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-530. Guardian ad litem to represent best interests of the child; removal of volunteer guardian ad litem.

 (A)(1) The guardian ad litem is charged in general with the duty of representation of the child's best interests. After appointment by the family court to a case involving an abused or neglected child, the guardian ad litem shall receive appropriate notice of all court hearings and proceedings regarding the child. The obligation of the guardian ad litem to the court is a continuing one and continues until formally relieved by the court.  (2) The South Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program, or a county guardian ad litem program operating pursuant to Section 63-11-500, whichever is appropriate, may intervene in an abuse or neglect proceeding in order to petition the court to relieve the volunteer, lay guardian ad litem from appointment for the following reasons:  (a) incapacity;  (b) conflict of interest;  (c) misconduct;  (d) persistent neglect of duties;  (e) incompetence; or  (f) a knowing and wilful violation of program policies and procedures that affect the health, safety, and welfare of the child.  (3) The court shall determine what is in the best interest of the child when ruling on the petition.  (B) The guardian ad litem is authorized to:  (1) conduct an independent assessment of the facts;  (2) confer with and observe the child involved;  (3) interview persons involved in the case;  (4) participate on any multidisciplinary evaluation team for the case on which the guardian ad litem has been appointed;  (5) make recommendations to the court concerning the child's welfare;  (6) make motions necessary to enforce the orders of the court, seek judicial review, or petition the court for relief on behalf of the child.  (C) The guardian ad litem is authorized through counsel to introduce, examine, and cross-examine witnesses in any proceeding involving the child and participate in the proceedings to any degree necessary to represent the child adequately.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2; 2009 Act No. 37, Section 1, eff June 2, 2009.  Effect of Amendment  The 2009 amendment designated subparagraph (A)(1) and added subparagraphs (A)(2) and (A)(3) relating to relieving a volunteer, lay guardian ad litem from appointment.
SC Code § 63-11-540 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-540. Right of access to information and records.

 All reports made and information collected as described in Section 63-7-1990(A) must be made available to the guardian ad litem by the Department of Social Services. Upon proof of appointment as guardian ad litem and upon the guardian ad litem request, access to information must be made available to the guardian ad litem by the appropriate medical and dental authorities, psychologists, social workers, counselors, schools, and any agency providing services to the child.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2.
SC Code § 63-11-550 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-550. Confidentiality of records and information.

 (A) All reports and information collected pursuant to this article maintained by the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program, or a county guardian ad litem program operating pursuant to Section 63-11-500(B) or by a guardian ad litem, are confidential except as provided for in Section 63-7-1990(C). A person who disseminates or permits the unauthorized dissemination of the information is guilty of contempt of court and, upon conviction, may be fined or imprisoned, or both, pursuant to Section 63-3-620.  (B) The name, address, and other identifying characteristics of a person named in a report determined to be judicially unfounded must be destroyed one year from the date of the determination. The name, address, and other identifying characteristics of any person named in a report determined to be judicially indicated must be destroyed seven years from the date that the guardian ad litem formally is relieved of responsibility as guardian ad litem by the family court.  (C) The director of the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program or the director's designee, or the chief administrator of a county guardian ad litem program operating pursuant to Section 63-11-500(B), may disclose to the media information contained in child protective services records, if disclosure is limited to discussion of the program's activities in handling the case. The program may incorporate into its discussion of the handling of the case any information placed in the public domain by other public officials, a criminal prosecution, the alleged perpetrator or the attorney for the alleged perpetrator, or other public judicial proceedings. For purposes of this subsection, information is considered "placed in the public domain" when it has been reported in the news media, is contained in public records of a criminal justice agency, is contained in public records of a court of law, or has been the subject of testimony in a public judicial proceeding.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 288, Section 2; 2009 Act No. 37, Section 2, eff June 2, 2009.  Effect of Amendment  The 2009 amendment, in subsection (A), added in the first sentence "or by a guardian ad litem,".
SC Code § 63-11-560 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code|Chapter 11 - Children's Services Agencies|Section 63-11-560. Immunity from liability for guardian ad litem.

 After participating in the training program of the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program, or a county guardian ad litem program operating pursuant to Section 63-11-500(B), a person who is appointed to serve as guardian ad litem and serves without compensation is not liable for any civil damages for any personal injury as a result of any act or omission by the person in the discharge of the responsibilities of a guardian ad litem if the person acts in good faith and is not guilty of gross negligence.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 288, Section 3.