In the Interest of K. R.

Hines, Justice.

We granted certiorari to the Court of Appeals to determine whether it erred in interpreting the applicability of the legislative enactment that amended OCGA § 5-6-35 so as to require a discretionary application to appeal from orders terminating parental rights. See Act 264, H.B. No. 369, Ga. Laws 2007, p. 556, § 3; OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (12). For the reasons that follow, we conclude that the Court of Appeals erred in its application of OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (12).

On December 3, 2007, the Walton County Department of Family and Children Services (“Department”) filed in the Juvenile Court…