Ind. Code § 31-9-2-50

Current through P.L. 171-2024
Section 31-9-2-50 - "Guardian ad litem"
(a) "Guardian ad litem", for purposes of IC 31-15-6, IC 31-19-16, IC 31-19-16.5, IC 31-28-5, IC 31-32-3-10.5, and the juvenile law, means an attorney, a volunteer, or an employee of a county program designated under IC 33-24-6-4 who is appointed by a court to:
(1) represent and protect the best interests of a child; and
(2) provide the child with services requested by the court, including:
(A) researching;
(B) examining;
(C) advocating;
(D) facilitating; and
(E) monitoring;

the child's situation.

A guardian ad litem who is not an attorney must complete the same court approved training program that is required for a court appointed special advocate under section 28 of this chapter.

(b) "Guardian ad litem", for purposes of IC 31-32-3-10.5, IC 31-33, IC 31-34, IC 31-35 and IC 31-37, means an attorney, a volunteer, or an employee of a county program designated under IC 33-24-6-4 who:
(1) is appointed by a court to represent and protect the best interests of a child;
(2) is appointed by a court to provide the child with services requested by the court, including:
(A) researching;
(B) examining;
(C) advocating;
(D) facilitating; and
(E) monitoring;

the child's situation; and

(3) has completed training appropriate for the person's role, including training in:
(A) the identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect; and
(B) early childhood, child, and adolescent development;

as required by 42 U.S.C. 5106a(b)(2)(B) (xiii).

A guardian ad litem who is not an attorney must complete the same court approved training program that is required for a court appointed special advocate under section 28 of this chapter.

IC 31-9-2-50

Pre-1997 Recodification Citations: 31-1-11.5-28(b); 31-6-1-6 part; 31-6-1-18 part.

Amended by P.L. 120-2018,SEC. 2, eff. 7/1/2018.
Amended by P.L. 48-2012, SEC. 15, eff. 7/1/2012.
As added by P.L. 1-1997, SEC.1. Amended by P.L. 196-1997, SEC.2; P.L. 2-1998, SEC.72; P.L. 98-2004, SEC.101; P.L. 133-2008, SEC.6; P.L. 1-2010, SEC.115.