Title 15, Chapter 11, Section 114
( 15-11-114)
(a) An unemancipated minor may participate in proceedings in the
court on such minor's own behalf and the court shall advise such
minor of the right to court appointed counsel and shall provide such
minor with such counsel upon request or if such minor is not already
adequately represented. (b) All court proceedings under this Code section shall be conducted
in a manner to preserve the complete anonymity of the parties and
shall be given such precedence over other pending matters as is
necessary to ensure that a decision is reached by the court as
expeditiously as is possible under the circumstances of the case.
In no event shall the name, address, birth date, or social security
number of such minor be disclosed. (c) The notification requirement of subparagraph (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), or (a)(1)(C) of Code Section 15-11-112 shall be waived if the court finds either: (1) That the unemancipated minor is mature enough and well enough
informed to make the abortion decision in consultation with her
physician, independently of the wishes of such minor's parent,
guardian, or person standing in loco parentis; or (2) That the notice to a parent or, if the minor is subject to guardianship, the legal guardian or person standing in loco parentis pursuant to Code Section 15-11-112 would not be in the best interests of the minor. (d) A court that conducts proceedings under this Code section shall
issue written and specific factual findings and legal conclusions
supporting its decision and shall order that a record of the
evidence be maintained. The juvenile court shall render its
decision within 24 hours of the conclusion of the hearing and a
certified copy of same shall be furnished immediately to the minor.
If the juvenile court fails to render its decision within 24 hours
after the conclusion of the hearing, then the petition shall be
deemed granted. All juvenile court records shall be sealed in a
manner which will preserve anonymity. (e) An expedited appeal completely preserving the anonymity of the
parties shall be available to any unemancipated minor to whom the
court denies a waiver of notice. The appellate courts are
authorized and requested to issue promptly such rules as are
necessary to preserve anonymity and to ensure the expeditious
disposition of procedures provided by this Code section. In no
event shall the name, address, birth date, or social security number
of such minor be disclosed during the expedited appeal or
thereafter. (f) No filing fees shall be required of any unemancipated minor who
uses the procedures provided by this Code section. |