The bill amends existing laws regarding the appointment of a guardian ad litem in youth in need of care cases. It specifies that a court-appointed special advocate must be appointed as the guardian ad litem for any child alleged to be abused or neglected, replacing the previous provision that allowed for the appointment of an attorney or other qualified person if a special advocate was unavailable. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the court-appointed special advocate will serve at the expense of the court, ensuring that the costs associated with their appointment are covered.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the guardian ad litem, which include conducting investigations, interviewing the child, accessing relevant records, and making written reports to the court. It also establishes that information from reports filed by the guardian ad litem is not considered hearsay when forming opinions about the child's best interests. The bill allows any party involved in the case to petition for the removal and replacement of the guardian ad litem if they fail to fulfill their duties.

Statutes affected:
SB0318_1.pdf: 41-3-112
SB0318_2.pdf: 41-3-112
Amended: 41-3-112
Introduced: 41-3-112