S-4346

AN ACT Relating to guardians ad litem; amending RCW 2.56.030, 11.88.090, 13.34.100, 13.34.102, 13.34.105, 26.12.175, and 26.12.177; adding new sections to chapter 11.88 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 13.34 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 26.12 RCW; and providing effective dates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 2.56.030 and 1997 c 41 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The administrator for the courts shall, under the supervision and direction of the chief justice:

(1) Examine the administrative methods and systems employed in the offices of the judges, clerks, stenographers, and employees of the courts and make recommendations, through the chief justice, for the improvement of the same;

(2) Examine the state of the dockets of the courts and determine the need for assistance by any court;

(3) Make recommendations to the chief justice relating to the assignment of judges where courts are in need of assistance and carry out the direction of the chief justice as to the assignments of judges to counties and districts where the courts are in need of assistance;

(4) Collect and compile statistical and other data and make reports of the business transacted by the courts and transmit the same to the chief justice to the end that proper action may be taken in respect thereto;

(5) Prepare and submit budget estimates of state appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system and make recommendations in respect thereto;

(6) Collect statistical and other data and make reports relating to the expenditure of public moneys, state and local, for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system and the offices connected therewith;

(7) Obtain reports from clerks of courts in accordance with law or rules adopted by the supreme court of this state on cases and other judicial business in which action has been delayed beyond periods of time specified by law or rules of court and make report thereof to supreme court of this state;

(8) Act as secretary of the judicial conference referred to in RCW 2.56.060;

(9) Submit annually, as of February 1st, to the chief justice, a report of the activities of the administrator's office for the preceding calendar year including activities related to courthouse security;

(10) Administer programs and standards for the training and education of judicial personnel;

(11) Examine the need for new superior court and district judge positions under a weighted caseload analysis that takes into account the time required to hear all the cases in a particular court and the amount of time existing judges have available to hear cases in that court. The results of the weighted caseload analysis shall be reviewed by the board for judicial administration which shall make recommendations to the legislature. It is the intent of the legislature that weighted caseload analysis become the basis for creating additional district court positions, and recommendations should address that objective;

(12) Provide staff to the judicial retirement account plan under chapter 2.14 RCW;

(13) Attend to such other matters as may be assigned by the supreme court of this state;

(14) Within available funds, develop a curriculum for a general understanding of child development, placement, and treatment resources, as well as specific legal skills and knowledge of relevant statutes including chapters 13.32A, 13.34, and 13.40 RCW, cases, court rules, interviewing skills, and special needs of the abused or neglected child. This curriculum shall be completed and made available to all juvenile court judges, court personnel, and service providers and be updated yearly to reflect changes in statutes, court rules, or case law;

(15) Develop, in consultation with the entities set forth in RCW 2.56.150(3), a comprehensive state-wide curriculum, training requirements, and continuing education requirements for persons who act as guardians ad litem under Title 13 or 26 RCW except these requirements do not apply to the attorney general or any prosecuting attorney functioning as the guardian ad litem pursuant to RCW 74.20.310. The curriculum, training requirements, and continuing education requirements shall ((~~be made available July 1, 1997, and~~)) include specialty sections on child development, child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child neglect, clinical and forensic investigative and interviewing techniques, family reconciliation and mediation services, and relevant statutory and legal requirements. The curriculum, training requirements, and continuing education requirements shall be made available to all superior court judges, court personnel, and all persons who act as guardians ad litem and be updated yearly to reflect changes in statutes, court rules, or case law;

(16) Develop a curriculum for a general understanding of crimes of malicious harassment, as well as specific legal skills and knowledge of RCW 9A.36.080, relevant cases, court rules, and the special needs of malicious harassment victims. This curriculum shall be made available to all superior court and court of appeals judges and to all justices of the supreme court;

(17) Develop, in consultation with the criminal justice training commission and the commissions established under chapters 43.113, 43.115, and 43.117 RCW, a curriculum for a general understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity and its implications for working with youth of color and their families. The curriculum shall be available to all superior court judges and court commissioners assigned to juvenile court, and other court personnel. Ethnic and cultural diversity training shall be provided annually so as to incorporate cultural sensitivity and awareness into the daily operation of juvenile courts state-wide;

(18) Authorize the use of closed circuit television and other electronic equipment in judicial proceedings. The administrator shall promulgate necessary standards and procedures and shall provide technical assistance to courts as required;

(19) Maintain a list of all guardians ad litem appointed pursuant to Titles 11, 13, and 26 RCW, who, pursuant to a founded grievance action, have been removed from the guardian ad litem registry in any superior court within the state; and

(20) Develop a model grievance procedure for use by the superior courts when dealing with complaints against: A guardian ad litem under chapter 11.88, 13.34, or 26.12 RCW; a court-appointed special advocate appointed under chapter 13.34 or 26.12 RCW; or a parenting investigator appointed under chapter 26.12 RCW.

Sec. 2. RCW 11.88.090 and 1996 c 249 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Nothing contained in RCW 11.88.080 through 11.88.120, 11.92.010 through 11.92.040, 11.92.060 through 11.92.120, 11.92.170, and 11.92.180 shall affect or impair the power of any court to appoint a guardian ad litem to defend the interests of any incapacitated person interested in any suit or matter pending therein, or to commence and prosecute any suit in his or her behalf.

(2) Upon receipt of a petition for appointment of guardian or limited guardian, except as provided herein, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the alleged incapacitated person, who shall be a person found or known by the court to:

(a) Be free of influence from anyone interested in the result of the proceeding; and

(b) Have the requisite knowledge, training, or expertise to perform the duties required by this section.

The guardian ad litem shall within five days of receipt of notice of appointment file with the court and serve, either personally or by certified mail with return receipt, each party with a statement including: His or her training relating to the duties as a guardian ad litem; his or her criminal history as defined in RCW 9.94A.030 for the period covering ten years prior to the appointment; his or her hourly rate, if compensated; whether the guardian ad litem has had any contact with a party to the proceeding prior to his or her appointment; and whether he or she has an apparent conflict of interest. Within three days of the later of the actual service or filing of the guardian ad litem's statement, any party may set a hearing and file and serve a motion for an order to show cause why the guardian ad litem should not be removed for one of the following three reasons: (i) Lack of expertise necessary for the proceeding; (ii) an hourly rate higher than what is reasonable for the particular proceeding; or (iii) a conflict of interest. Notice of the hearing shall be provided to the guardian ad litem and all parties. If, after a hearing, the court enters an order replacing the guardian ad litem, findings shall be included, expressly stating the reasons for the removal. If the guardian ad litem is not removed, the court has the authority to assess to the moving party, attorneys' fees and costs related to the motion. The court shall assess attorneys' fees and costs for frivolous motions.

No guardian ad litem need be appointed when a parent is petitioning for a guardian or a limited guardian to be appointed for his or her minor child and the minority of the child, as defined by RCW 11.92.010, is the sole basis of the petition. The order appointing the guardian ad litem shall recite the duties set forth in subsection (4) of this section. The appointment of a guardian ad litem shall have no effect on the legal competency of the alleged incapacitated person and shall not overcome the presumption of competency or full legal and civil rights of the alleged incapacitated person.

(3)(a) The superior court of each county shall develop and maintain a registry of persons who are willing and qualified to serve as guardians ad litem in guardianship matters. The court shall choose as guardian ad litem a person whose name appears on the registry in a system of consistent rotation, except in extraordinary circumstances such as the need for particular expertise. The court shall develop procedures for periodic review of the persons on the registry and for probation, suspension, or removal of persons on the registry for failure to perform properly their duties as guardian ad litem. In the event the court does not select the person next on the list, it shall include in the order of appointment a written reason for its decision.

(b) To be eligible for the registry a person shall:

(i) Present a written statement outlining his or her background and qualifications. The background statement shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

(A) Level of formal education;

(B) Training related to the guardian ad litem's duties;

(D) Number of appointments as a guardian ad litem and the county or counties of appointment;

(E) Criminal history, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030; and

(F) Evidence of the person's knowledge, training, and experience in each of the following: Needs of impaired elderly people, physical disabilities, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and other areas relevant to the needs of incapacitated persons, legal procedure, and the requirements of chapters 11.88 and 11.92 RCW.

The written statement of qualifications shall include ((~~a statement of the number of times the guardian ad litem has been removed for failure to perform his or her duties as guardian ad litem~~)) the names of any counties in which the person, pursuant to a founded grievance, was removed from a pending case or a guardian ad litem registry; and

(ii) Complete the ((~~model~~)) training ((~~program~~)) and continuing educational requirements as described in (d) of this subsection. The training and continuing education requirements are not applicable to guardians ad litem appointed pursuant to court rule solely for the limited purpose of assessing a personal injury settlement.

(d) The department of social and health services shall convene an advisory group to develop a model guardian ad litem training program and establish training and continuing educational requirements. The department, in consultation with the advisory group, shall update the model training program biennially. The advisory group shall consist of representatives from consumer, advocacy, and professional groups knowledgeable in developmental disabilities, neurological impairment, physical disabilities, mental illness, aging, legal, court administration, the Washington state bar association, and other interested parties.

(e) The superior court shall require ((~~utilization of the model program developed by the advisory group as~~)) that any guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to this chapter comply with the training and continuing education requirements described in (d) of this subsection((, to assure that candidates applying for registration as a qualified guardian ad litem shall have satisfactorily completed training to attain these essential minimum qualifications to act as guardian ad litem)), unless the guardian ad litem is appointed solely for the limited purposes of assessing a personal injury settlement.

(4) The guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to this section shall have the following duties:

(a) To meet and consult with the alleged incapacitated person as soon as practicable following appointment and explain, in language which such person can reasonably be expected to understand, the substance of the petition, the nature of the resultant proceedings, the person's right to contest the petition, the identification of the proposed guardian or limited guardian, the right to a jury trial on the issue of his or her alleged incapacity, the right to independent legal counsel as provided by RCW 11.88.045, and the right to be present in court at the hearing on the petition;

(b) To obtain a written report according to RCW 11.88.045; and such other written or oral reports from other qualified professionals as are necessary to permit the guardian ad litem to complete the report required by this section;

(i) The proposed guardian's knowledge of the duties, requirements, and limitations of a guardian; and

(ii) The steps the proposed guardian intends to take or has taken to identify and meet the needs of the alleged incapacitated person;

(d) To consult as necessary to complete the investigation and report required by this section with those known relatives, friends, or other persons the guardian ad litem determines have had a significant, continuing interest in the welfare of the alleged incapacitated person;

(e) To investigate alternate arrangements made, or which might be created, by or on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person, such as revocable or irrevocable trusts, or durable powers of attorney, or blocked accounts in cases of personal injury settlements; whether good cause exists for any such arrangements to be discontinued; and why such arrangements should not be continued or created in lieu of a guardianship;

(f) To provide the court with a written report which shall include the following:

(i) A description of the nature, cause, and degree of incapacity, and the basis upon which this judgment was made;

(ii) A description of the needs of the incapacitated person for care and treatment, the probable residential requirements of the alleged incapacitated person and the basis upon which these findings were made;

(iii) An evaluation of the appropriateness of the guardian or limited guardian whose appointment is sought and a description of the steps the proposed guardian has taken or intends to take to identify and meet current and emerging needs of the incapacitated person;

(iv) A description of any alternative arrangements previously made by the alleged incapacitated person or which could be made, and whether and to what extent such alternatives should be used in lieu of a guardianship, and if the guardian ad litem is recommending discontinuation of any such arrangements, specific findings as to why such arrangements are contrary to the best interest of the alleged incapacitated person;

(v) A description of the abilities of the alleged incapacitated person and a recommendation as to whether a guardian or limited guardian should be appointed. If appointment of a limited guardian is recommended, the guardian ad litem shall recommend the specific areas of authority the limited guardian should have and the limitations and disabilities to be placed on the incapacitated person;

(vi) An evaluation of the person's mental ability to rationally exercise the right to vote and the basis upon which the evaluation is made;

(vii) Any expression of approval or disapproval made by the alleged incapacitated person concerning the proposed guardian or limited guardian or guardianship or limited guardianship;

(viii) Identification of persons with significant interest in the welfare of the alleged incapacitated person who should be advised of their right to request special notice of proceedings pursuant to RCW 11.92.150; ((~~and~~))

(ix) Unless independent counsel has appeared for the alleged incapacitated person, an explanation of how the alleged incapacitated person responded to the advice of the right to jury trial, to independent counsel and to be present at the hearing on the petition; and

(x) In cases of personal injury settlements, information relevant to the court's analysis of the offered settlement. The information relevant to the court's analysis may be specified by local court rule, and need not include information specified in subsection (4)(f)(i) through (ix) of this section.

Within forty-five days after notice of commencement of the guardianship proceeding has been served upon the guardian ad litem, and at least fifteen days before the hearing on the petition, unless an extension or reduction of time has been granted by the court for good cause, the guardian ad litem shall file its report and send a copy to the alleged incapacitated person and his or her counsel, spouse, all children not residing with a notified person, those persons described in (f)(viii) of this subsection, and persons who have filed a request for special notice pursuant to RCW 11.92.150. If the guardian ad litem needs additional time to finalize his or her report, then the guardian ad litem shall petition the court for a postponement of the hearing or, with the consent of all other parties, an extension or reduction of time for filing the report. If the hearing does not occur within sixty days of filing the petition, then upon the two-month anniversary of filing the petition and on or before the same day of each following month until the hearing, the guardian ad litem shall file interim reports summarizing his or her activities on the proceeding during that time period as well as fees and costs incurred;

(g) To advise the court of the need for appointment of counsel for the alleged incapacitated person within five court days after the meeting described in (a) of this subsection unless (i) counsel has appeared, (ii) the alleged incapacitated person affirmatively communicated a wish not to be represented by counsel after being advised of the right to representation and of the conditions under which court-provided counsel may be available, or (iii) the alleged incapacitated person was unable to communicate at all on the subject, and the guardian ad litem is satisfied that the alleged incapacitated person does not affirmatively desire to be represented by counsel.

(5) If the petition is brought by an interested person or entity requesting the appointment of some other qualified person or entity and a prospective guardian or limited guardian cannot be found, the court shall order the guardian ad litem to investigate the availability of a possible guardian or limited guardian and to include the findings in a report to the court pursuant to subsection (4)(f) of this section.

(6) The parties to the proceeding may file responses to the guardian ad litem report with the court and deliver such responses to the other parties and the guardian ad litem at any time up to the second day prior to the hearing. If a guardian ad litem fails to file his or her report in a timely manner, the hearing shall be continued to give the court and the parties at least fifteen days before the hearing to review the report. At any time during the proceeding upon motion of any party or on the court's own motion, the court may remove the guardian ad litem for failure to perform his or her duties as specified in this chapter, provided that the guardian ad litem shall have five days' notice of any motion to remove before the court enters such order. In addition, the court in its discretion may reduce a guardian ad litem's fee for failure to carry out his or her duties.

(7) The court appointed guardian ad litem shall have the authority, in the event that the alleged incapacitated person is in need of emergency life-saving medical services, and is unable to consent to such medical services due to incapacity pending the hearing on the petition to give consent for such emergency life-saving medical services on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person.

(8) The court-appointed guardian ad litem shall have the authority to move for temporary relief under chapter 7.40 RCW to protect the alleged incapacitated person from abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation, as those terms are defined in RCW 74.34.020, or to address any other emergency needs of the alleged incapacitated person. Any alternative arrangement executed before filing the petition for guardianship shall remain effective unless the court grants the relief requested under chapter 7.40 RCW, or unless, following notice and a hearing at which all parties directly affected by the arrangement are present, the court finds that the alternative arrangement should not remain effective.

(9) The guardian ad litem shall receive a fee determined by the court. The fee shall be charged to the alleged incapacitated person unless the court finds that such payment would result in substantial hardship upon such person, in which case the county shall be responsible for such costs: PROVIDED, That if no guardian or limited guardian is appointed the court may charge such fee to the petitioner or the alleged incapacitated person, or divide the fee, as it deems just; and if the petition is found to be frivolous or not brought in good faith, the guardian ad litem fee shall be charged to the petitioner. The court shall not be required to provide for the payment of a fee to any salaried employee of a public agency. In cases of personal injury settlements, guardian ad litem fees shall be negotiated among the parties.

(10) Upon the presentation of the guardian ad litem report and the entry of an order either dismissing the petition for appointment of guardian or limited guardian or appointing a guardian or limited guardian, the guardian ad litem shall be dismissed and shall have no further duties or obligations unless otherwise ordered by the court. If the court orders the guardian ad litem to perform further duties or obligations, they shall not be performed at county expense.

(11) The guardian ad litem shall appear in person at all hearings on the petition unless all parties provide a written waiver of the requirement to appear.

(12) At any hearing the court may consider whether any person who makes decisions regarding the alleged incapacitated person or estate has breached a statutory or fiduciary duty.

Sec. 3. RCW 13.34.100 and 1996 c 249 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for a child who is the subject of an action under this chapter, unless a court for good cause finds the appointment unnecessary. The requirement of a guardian ad litem may be deemed satisfied if the child is represented by independent counsel in the proceedings.

(2) If the court does not have available to it a guardian ad litem program with a sufficient number of volunteers, the court may appoint a suitable person to act as guardian ad litem for the child under this chapter. Another party to the proceeding or the party's employee or representative shall not be so appointed.

(3) Each guardian ad litem program shall maintain a background information record for each guardian ad litem in the program. The background file shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

(a) Level of formal education;

(b) Training related to the guardian's duties;

(d) Number of appointments as a guardian ad litem and the county or counties of appointment; ((~~and~~))

(e) The name of any counties in which, pursuant to a founded grievance, the person was removed from a pending case or a guardian ad litem registry; and

(f) Criminal history, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030.

The background information report shall be updated annually. As a condition of appointment, the guardian ad litem's background information record shall be made available to the court. If the appointed guardian ad litem is not a member of a guardian ad litem program the person shall provide the background information to the court.

Upon appointment, the guardian ad litem, or guardian ad litem program, shall provide the parties or their attorneys with a statement containing: His or her training relating to the duties as a guardian ad litem; the name of any counties in which, pursuant to a founded grievance, the person was removed from a pending case or a guardian ad litem registry; and his or her criminal history as defined in RCW 9.94A.030 for the period covering ten years prior to the appointment. The background statement shall not include identifying information that may be used to harm a guardian ad litem, such as home addresses and home telephone numbers, and for volunteer guardians ad litem the court may allow the use of maiden names or pseudonyms as necessary for their safety.

(4) The appointment of the guardian ad litem shall remain in effect until the court discharges the appointment or no longer has jurisdiction, whichever comes first. The guardian ad litem may also be discharged upon entry of an order of guardianship.

(5) A guardian ad litem through counsel, or as otherwise authorized by the court, shall have the right to present evidence, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and to be present at all hearings. A guardian ad litem shall receive copies of all pleadings and other documents filed or submitted to the court, and notice of all hearings according to court rules. The guardian ad litem shall receive all notice contemplated for a parent or other party in all proceedings under this chapter.

(6) If the child requests legal counsel and is age twelve or older, or if the guardian ad litem or the court determines that the child needs to be independently represented by counsel, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the child's position.

(7) For the purposes of child abuse prevention and treatment act (42 U.S.C. Secs. 5101 et seq.) grants to this state under P.L. 93-247, or any related state or federal legislation, a person appointed pursuant to RCW 13.34.100 shall be deemed a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the minor in proceedings before the court.

(8) When a court-appointed special advocate or volunteer guardian ad litem is requested on a case, the program shall give the court the name of the person it recommends and the appointment shall be effective immediately. The court shall appoint the person recommended by the program. If a party in a case reasonably believes the court-appointed special advocate or volunteer is inappropriate or unqualified, the party may request a review of the appointment by the program. The program must complete the review within five judicial days and remove any appointee for good cause. If the party seeking the review is not satisfied with the outcome of the review, the party may file a motion with the court for the removal of the court-appointed special advocate on the grounds the advocate or volunteer is inappropriate or unqualified.

Sec. 4. RCW 13.34.102 and 1997 c 41 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) All guardians ad litem((~~, who have not previously served or been trained as a guardian ad litem in this state, who are appointed after January 1, 1998,~~)) must ((~~complete the curriculum developed by the office of the administrator for the courts~~)) comply with the training requirements established under RCW 2.56.030(15), prior to their appointment in cases under Title 13 RCW, except that volunteer guardians ad litem or court-appointed special advocates ((~~accepted into a volunteer program after January 1, 1998,~~)) may ((~~complete an alternative curriculum~~)) comply with alternative training requirements approved by the office of the administrator for the courts that meet((s)) or exceed((s)) the state-wide ((~~curriculum~~)) requirements.

(b) All persons appointed as guardians ad litem or court-appointed special advocates must comply with the continuing education requirements established under RCW 2.56.030(15).

(2)(a) Each guardian ad litem program for compensated guardians ad litem shall establish a rotational registry system for the appointment of guardians ad litem. If a judicial district does not have a program the court shall establish the rotational registry system. Guardians ad litem shall be selected from the registry except in exceptional circumstances as determined and documented by the court. The parties may make a joint recommendation for the appointment of a guardian ad litem from the registry.

(b) In judicial districts with a population over one hundred thousand, a list of three names shall be selected from the registry and given to the parties along with the background information as specified in RCW 13.34.100(3), including their hourly rate for services. Each party may, within three judicial days, strike one name from the list. If more than one name remains on the list, the court shall make the appointment from the names on the list. In the event all three names are stricken the person whose name appears next on the registry shall be appointed.

(c) If a party reasonably believes that the appointed guardian ad litem lacks the necessary expertise for the proceeding, charges an hourly rate higher than what is reasonable for the particular proceeding, or has a conflict of interest, the party may, within three judicial days from the appointment, move for substitution of the appointed guardian ad litem by filing a motion with the court.

(d) Upon the motion of any party the court shall, if located in a judicial district with a population over one hundred thousand, remove a compensated guardian ad litem who was not selected from a rotational registry system. This subsection (2)(d) does not apply when the guardian ad litem was appointed: (i) Under exceptional circumstances authorized under (a) of this subsection; or (ii) as a result of a joint recommendation of the parties.

(3) The rotational registry system shall not apply to court-appointed special advocate programs.

Sec. 5. RCW 13.34.105 and 1993 c 241 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Unless otherwise directed by the court, the duties of the guardian ad litem include but are not limited to the following:

(a) To ((~~represent~~)) investigate and ((~~be an~~)) advocate for the best interests of the child;

(b) To collect relevant information about the child's situation;

(c) To monitor all court orders for compliance and to bring to the court's attention any change in circumstances that may require a modification of the court's order; and

(d) To report to the court information on: (i) The legal status of a child's membership in any Indian tribe or band; and (ii) the facts relating to the child's best interests.

(2) ((~~The~~)) A guardian ad litem who is: (a) Selected from a registry; (b) appointed under exceptional circumstances pursuant to RCW 13.34.102(2)(a); or (c) a court-appointed special advocate shall be deemed an officer of the court for the purpose of immunity from civil liability unless removed from a case pursuant to a founded grievance.

(3) Except for information or records specified in RCW 13.50.100(4), the guardian ad litem shall have access to all information available to the state or agency on the case. Upon presentation of the order of appointment by the guardian ad litem, any agency, hospital, school organization, division or department of the state, doctor, nurse, or other health care provider, psychologist, psychiatrist, police department, or mental health clinic shall permit the guardian ad litem to inspect and copy any records relating to the child or children involved in the case, without the consent of the parent or guardian of the child, or of the child if the child is under the age of thirteen years, unless such access is otherwise specifically prohibited by law.

(4) The guardian ad litem shall release case information in accordance with the provisions of RCW 13.50.100.

Sec. 6. RCW 26.12.175 and 1996 c 249 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of a minor or dependent child when the court believes the appointment of a guardian ad litem is necessary to protect the best interests of the child in any proceeding under this chapter. The family court services professionals may also make a recommendation to the court regarding whether a guardian ad litem should be appointed for the child. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem from the court-appointed special advocate program, if that program exists in the county.

(b) Unless otherwise ordered, the guardian ad litem's role is to: (i) Investigate and report to the court concerning parenting arrangements for the child((,)); (ii) report on the child's wishes when the child is twelve years of age or older; and ((~~to represent~~)) (iii) advocate for the child's best interests. The court may require the guardian ad litem to provide periodic reports to the parties regarding the status of his or her investigation. The guardian ad litem shall file his or her report at least sixty days prior to trial.

(c) The court shall enter an order for costs, fees, and disbursements to cover the costs of the guardian ad litem. The court may order either or both parents to pay for the costs of the guardian ad litem, according to their ability to pay. If both parents are indigent, the county shall bear the cost of the guardian, subject to appropriation for guardians' ad litem services by the county legislative authority. Guardians ad litem who are not volunteers shall provide the parties with an itemized accounting of their time and billing for services each month.

(2)(a) If the guardian ad litem appointed is from the county court-appointed special advocate program, the program shall supervise any guardian ad litem assigned to the case. The court-appointed special advocate program shall be entitled to notice of all proceedings in the case.

(b) The legislative authority of each county may authorize creation of a court-appointed special advocate program. The county legislative authority may adopt rules of eligibility for court-appointed special advocate program services.

(a) Level of formal education;

(b) Training related to the guardian's duties;

(d) Number of appointments as a guardian ad litem and county or counties of appointment; ((~~and~~))

(e) The name of any counties in which, pursuant to a founded grievance, the person was removed from a pending case or a guardian ad litem registry; and

(f) Criminal history, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030.

(4) When a court-appointed special advocate or volunteer guardian ad litem is requested on a case, the program shall give the court the name of the person it recommends and the appointment shall be effective immediately. The court shall appoint the person recommended by the program. If a party in a case reasonably believes the court-appointed special advocate or volunteer is inappropriate or unqualified, the party may request a review of the appointment by the program. The program must complete the review within five judicial days and remove any appointee for good cause. If the party seeking the review is not satisfied with the outcome of the review, the party may file a motion with the court for the removal of the court-appointed special advocate on the grounds the advocate or volunteer is inappropriate or unqualified.

Sec. 7. RCW 26.12.177 and 1997 c 41 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) All guardians ad litem((~~, who have not previously served or been trained as a guardian ad litem in this state, who are appointed after January 1, 1998,~~)) must ((~~complete the curriculum developed by the office of the administrator for the courts~~)) comply with the training requirements established under RCW 2.56.030(15), prior to their appointment in cases under Title 26 RCW, except that volunteer guardians ad litem or court-appointed special advocates ((~~accepted into a volunteer program after January 1, 1998,~~)) may ((~~complete an alternative curriculum~~)) comply with alternative training requirements approved by the office of the administrator for the courts that meet((s)) or exceed((s)) the state-wide ((~~curriculum~~)) requirements.

(b) All persons appointed as guardians ad litem or court-appointed special advocates must comply with the continuing education requirements established under RCW 2.56.030(15).

(b) In judicial districts with a population over one hundred thousand, a list of three names shall be selected from the registry and given to the parties along with the background information as specified in RCW 26.12.175(3), including their hourly rate for services. Each party may, within three judicial days, strike one name from the list. If more than one name remains on the list, the court shall make the appointment from the names on the list. In the event all three names are stricken the person whose name appears next on the registry shall be appointed.

(3) The rotational registry system shall not apply to court-appointed special advocate programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 26.12 RCW to read as follows:

A guardian ad litem who is: (1) Selected from a registry; (2) appointed under exceptional circumstances pursuant to RCW 26.12.177(2)(a); or (3) a court-appointed special advocate shall be deemed an officer of the court for the purpose of immunity from civil liability unless removed from a case pursuant to a founded grievance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 11.88 RCW to read as follows:

The court shall, in each order of appointment, specify the hourly rate the guardian ad litem may charge for his or her services, and shall specify the maximum amount the guardian ad litem may charge without additional court review and approval.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 26.12 RCW to read as follows:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 11.88 RCW to read as follows:

All guardians ad litem are prohibited from engaging in ex parte communications with any judicial officer regarding the matter for which he or she is appointed, except as approved pursuant to a hearing conducted with adequate notice to all parties. Unauthorized communication shall be immediately reported to all parties and their attorneys. The court, upon its own motion, or upon the motion of a party, may consider the removal of any guardian ad litem who violates this section from any pending case or the guardian ad litem rotational registry, and if so removed may require forfeiture of any fees for professional services on any pending cases.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

All guardians ad litem and court-appointed special advocates are prohibited from engaging in ex parte communications with any judicial officer regarding the matter for which he or she is appointed, except as approved pursuant to a hearing conducted with adequate notice to all parties. Unauthorized communication shall be immediately reported to all parties and their attorneys. The court, upon its own motion, or upon the motion of a party, may consider the removal of any guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate who violates this section from any pending case or from any court-authorized registry, and if so removed may require forfeiture of any fees for professional services on any pending cases.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 26.12 RCW to read as follows:

All guardians ad litem, court-appointed special advocates, and parenting investigators are prohibited from engaging in ex parte communications with any judicial officer regarding the matter for which he or she is appointed, except as approved pursuant to a hearing conducted with adequate notice to all parties. Unauthorized communication shall be immediately reported to all parties and their attorneys. The court, upon its own motion, or upon the motion of a party, may consider the removal of any guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate, or parenting investigator who violates this section from any pending case or from any court-authorized registry, and if so removed may require forfeiture of any fees for professional services on any pending cases.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. A new section is added to chapter 26.12 RCW to read as follows:

All information, records, and reports obtained or created by a guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate, or parenting investigator shall be discoverable to the parties and their attorneys. The guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate, or parenting investigator shall maintain the privacy of the parties and the confidentiality of information obtained, pursuant to the investigation, as to third parties. Any guardian ad litem can move the court to seal the court file to protect information obtained by the guardian ad litem from disclosure to third persons, particularly in cases where no evidentiary rulings have been made on information introduced by affidavit, declaration, or other means.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. This act takes effect July 1, 1998, except for sections 4 and 7 of this act, which take effect January 1, 2000.