Under existing law, a juvenile court may appoint trained volunteers in addition to guardians ad litem in dependency and termination-of-parental-rights proceedings to promote the best interests of children involved in these cases. This bill would provide for the duties of the unpaid volunteer advocates and prohibit volunteer advocates from performing certain duties. This bill would allow the juvenile courts to order that the volunteer advocates have access to certain records, reports, and information, and notice of juvenile court hearings and reviews. This bill would codify and define the role of certain entities supporting local volunteer advocate programs. This bill would also require certain entities to develop minimum standards and training curricula for the local volunteer advocate programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-15-304