FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1165

                         C 241 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to guardians ad litem for juveniles.

By Representatives Riley, Cooke, Leonard, Appelwick and Johanson.

House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  The court is required to appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney to represent a child who is the subject of a dependency action or of a proceeding related to child abuse and neglect.  There is currently no definition in statute of a "guardian ad litem" or a "guardian ad litem program."

Summary:  A guardian ad litem is defined as a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child. A guardian ad litem program is defined as a court-authorized volunteer program designed to manage all aspects of volunteer guardian ad litem representation of children alleged or found to be dependent.  Court procedures for the appointment of a guardian ad litem related to the duration of the appointment, the legal standing of the guardian ad litem, and the specific duties of the guardian ad litem are established.  Guardian ad litem programs will maintain background information records on guardians ad litem and update the information annually.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 46 0 (Senate amended)

House  95 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1993