HB 1183 - DIGEST

Finds that attorneys for children have different skills and obligations than guardians ad litem and court-appointed special advocates, especially in forming a confidential and privileged relationship with a child to provide legal counsel to the child on issues such as placement options, visitation rights, educational rights, and access to services while in care and services available to the child upon aging out of care. Thus, it is in the best interest of a child who is age twelve or older for the court to consider whether an attorney should be appointed to advocate for the child's position and legal rights.