HB 982 amends Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A. relating to dependency proceedings. The court will consider whether DFCS has completed the diligent search required when determining whether reasonable efforts have been made to finalize an alternative permanent home for a child adjudicated as a dependent child. DFCS shall file a petition to terminate parental rights if the child has been in foster care under the responsibility of DFCS for a cumulative period of 12 months or longer and the parent substantially neglected or willfully refused to remedy the circumstances that caused the child to be in foster care.