BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to guardians ad litem; amending RCW 13.34.030 and 13.34.100; reenacting and amending RCW 26.44.053; adding a new section to chapter 13.34 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 13.34.030 and 1988 c 176 s 901 are each amended to read as follows:

For purposes of this chapter:

(1) "Child" and "juvenile" means any individual under the age of eighteen years;

(2) "Dependent child" means any child:

(a) Who has been abandoned; that is, where the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian has evidenced either by statement or conduct, a settled intent to forego, for an extended period, all parental rights or all parental responsibilities despite an ability to do so;

(b) Who is abused or neglected as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW by a person legally responsible for the care of the child;

(c) Who has no parent, guardian, or custodian capable of adequately caring for the child, such that the child is in circumstances which constitute a danger of substantial damage to the child's psychological or physical development; or

(d) Who has a developmental disability, as defined in RCW 71A.10.020 and whose parent, guardian, or legal custodian together with the department determines that services appropriate to the child's needs can not be provided in the home. However, (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection may still be applied if other reasons for removal of the child from the home exist;

(3) "Guardian ad litem" means a person, appointed by the court to represent the best interest of a child in a proceeding under this chapter, or in any matter which may be consolidated with a proceeding under this chapter. A "court-appointed special advocate" appointed by the court to be the guardian ad litem for the child, or to perform substantially the same duties and functions as a guardian ad litem, shall be deemed to be guardian ad litem for all purposes and uses of this chapter;

(4) "Guardian ad litem program" means a court-authorized volunteer program, which is or may be established by the superior court of the county in which such proceeding is filed, to manage all aspects of volunteer guardian ad litem representation for children alleged or found to be dependent. Such management shall include but is not limited to: Recruitment, screening, training, supervision, assignment, and discharge of volunteers.

Sec. 2. RCW 13.34.100 and 1988 c 232 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The court shall in all contested cases appoint ((~~an attorney and/or~~)) a guardian ad litem for a child who is ((~~a party to the proceedings in all contested proceedings~~)) the subject of an action under this chapter, unless a court((,)) for good cause((,)) finds the appointment unnecessary. ((~~An attorney and/or~~)) A guardian ad litem may be appointed at the discretion of the court in uncontested proceedings((~~: PROVIDED, That~~)). The requirement of a guardian ad litem shall be deemed satisfied if the child is represented by independent counsel in the proceedings. ((A))

(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. ((~~Such attorney and/or~~))

(3) 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.

(4) A guardian ad litem is a party to the proceedings for all purposes, including 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. ((~~A report by the guardian ad litem to the court shall contain, where relevant, information on the legal status of a child's membership in any Indian tribe or band.~~))

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

The guardian ad litem appointed under this chapter shall be a full party to the proceedings.

(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 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 the legal status of a child's membership in any Indian tribe or band.

(2) The guardian ad litem shall be deemed an officer of the court for all purposes of immunity from civil liability.

(3) 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 child if the child is less than thirteen years of age, or of the parent or guardian of the child.

Sec. 4. RCW 26.44.053 and 1987 c 524 s 11 and 1987 c 206 s 7 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) In any contested judicial proceeding in which it is alleged that a child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child: PROVIDED, That the requirement of a guardian ad litem ((~~shall~~)) may be deemed satisfied if the child is represented by counsel in the proceedings. The court-appointed guardian ad litem shall be deemed a party to the proceeding.

(2) At any time prior to or during a hearing in such a case, the court may, on its own motion, or the motion of the guardian ad litem, or other parties, order the examination by a physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist, of any parent or child or other person having custody of the child at the time of the alleged child abuse or neglect, if the court finds such an examination is necessary to the proper determination of the case. The hearing may be continued pending the completion of such examination. The physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist conducting such an examination may be required to testify concerning the results of such examination and may be asked to give his or her opinion as to whether the protection of the child requires that he or she not be returned to the custody of his or her parents or other persons having custody of him or her at the time of the alleged child abuse or neglect. Persons so testifying shall be subject to cross-examination as are other witnesses. No information given at any such examination of the parent or any other person having custody of the child may be used against such person in any subsequent criminal proceedings against such person or custodian concerning the abuse or neglect of the child.

(3) A parent or other person having legal custody of a child alleged to be ((~~a child subjected to abuse or neglect~~)) abused or neglected shall be a party to any proceeding that may ((~~as a practical matter~~)) impair or impede such person's interest in and custody or control of ((~~his or her~~)) the child.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. The rules under this act shall meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.