15-11-131.1. Right to obtain an independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialty consultation.

As used in this Code section, the term “pediatric specialty consultation” means a consultation with a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state and board certified in the relevant pediatric field or specialty, including radiology, genetics, orthopedics, endocrinology, neurosurgery, child abuse pediatrics, gastroenterology, surgery, or forensic pathology, and to diagnose and treat certain health conditions, including rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, or other medical conditions related to the differential diagnosis of child abuse or neglect.#

Any parent or legal guardian of a child who is taken into temporary protective custody pursuant to Code Section 15-11-131 shall have the right to obtain an independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialty consultation of such child at his or her own expense unless prohibited by court order. Physicians and medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and DFCS shall cooperate as may reasonably be necessary to facilitate an independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialty consultation for such child.#

At any hearing concerning a child before the court in a dependency proceeding pursuant to this article, the court shall consider the results from an independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialty consultation of such child.#

No adjudication hearing scheduled in accordance with Part 8 of this article shall be continued solely because the results from an independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialty consultation of the child before the court are unavailable.#