Section 1 provides that the director of the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Additionally, it establishes a DFCS State Advisory Board that will consist of 20 members appointed by the Governor. The purpose of the Advisory Board will be to review and recommend proposed rules and regulations for DFCS. 

Section 2 provides for the requirements for members appointed to county boards of family and children services, including the term limits of the office members of the board and the conditions for the appointments necessary to fill any vacancies on the county board.

Section 3 defines the purposes and functions of county or district Departments of Family and Children Services. The section also offers clarification on the manner in which the Department of Family and Children Services shall perform under the supervision of a court of competent jurisdiction the role of probation officer or agent of the court in any welfare matters which arise.

Section 4 establishes in each region a DFCS Regional Advisory Board and outlines the purpose of the board and the minimum length of time the regional advisory boards must meet (quarterly).

Section 5 amends Chapter 5, relating to the protection of youth and children by adding a new Code section by providing that DHS shall work with other agencies to establish a statewide data sharing system and an interagency data protocol in order for each agency to effectively share information with each other.

Section 6 revises subsections (c) and (d) by providing guidelines for when it will be acceptable for agencies to release information concerning child abuse to outside parties and stipulates the type of information to be included within said disclosure.

Section 7 provides revisions relating to the central child abuse registry.

Section 9 amends Code Section 15-11-215 of the O.C.G.A. so as to provide that a temporary absence from a child's ongoing foster care placement shall not be considered a placement change in relation to placement hearings.

Section 10 provides that DHS or DFCS may enter into contracts for the purchase of or may purchase placements for children in care without competitive bidding.