Source: https://courts.delaware.gov/childadvocate/about-us/legislation.aspx
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 08:49:05+00:00

Document:
§ 9001A. Intent and purpose.
The General Assembly hereby declares that the welfare of the children of this State shall be safeguarded by the establishment of an Office of Child Advocate, with a Child Advocate who shall serve as Executive Director of the Child Protection Accountability Commission. The Child Advocate shall be responsible for effectuating the purposes of the Commission. The Advocate shall also coordinate efforts on behalf of the children; work with advocacy groups; promote system reform; recommend changes in law, procedure and policy necessary to enhance the protection of Delaware's children; and to implement and coordinate a program providing legal representation on behalf of a child. In order to effectuate these goals, the Child Advocate shall be an attorney duly licensed to practice law in Delaware.
(1) "Abuse" or "abused child" is as defined in § 901 of Title 10.
(9) "Dependency" or "dependent child" is as defined in § 901 of Title 10.
(11) "Guardian ad litem" means an individual appointed by the Court to represent the best interests of a child whether or not that reflects the wishes of the child, who by his or her appointment shall be a party to the child welfare proceeding. The guardian ad litem is charged with obtaining a clear understanding of the situation and needs of the child, and making recommendations to the Court as to what is in the best interests of the child.
(12) "Neglect" or "neglected child" is as defined in § 901 of Title 10.
(13) "Office" means the Office of the Child Advocate.
(14) "Permanency" means the safe, stable, custodial environment in which a child is raised and the life-long relationship that child establishes with a nurturing caregiver.
§ 9003A. Appointment and dismissal.
§ 9004A. Appropriation for expenses.
§ 9005A. Duties of the Child Advocate.
(11) Take whatever other actions are necessary to help the Commission accomplish its goals.
(1) All records of the Office of Child Advocate pertaining to the care and treatment of a child are confidential, including the identity of any person seeking assistance from the Office on behalf of a child. Information contained in those records may not be disclosed in such a manner as to identify individuals, except for good cause shown on order of a court, or if, in the judgment of the Commission, disclosure of identifying information to an appropriate governmental agency is in the best interests of the child.
(2) Anyone participating in good faith in seeking assistance from the Office on behalf of a child pursuant to this chapter shall have immunity from liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise exist, and such immunity shall extend to participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from such a referral.
§ 9007A. Legal representation of children.
(1) The General Assembly has recognized the need to safeguard the welfare of abused, neglected and dependent children in this State. As such, it has charged the Office of the Child Advocate and the Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program with ensuring representation of children's best interests in child welfare proceedings through appointment of guardians ad litem. To this end, the Office shall coordinate with the Family Court and the Court-Appointed Special Advocate program to implement and administer a program for guardian ad litem representation of children.
(2) In determining whether to represent an abused, neglected or dependent child, the Office may communicate with any child at issue and may have access to all information relating to that child held or maintained by the Department and/or the Family Court. If the Office determines that a child needs guardian ad litem representation, the Court shall sign an order appointing the designated attorney as attorney guardian ad litem.
(3) This section shall be liberally construed so that these purposes may be realized.
(1) In the event that the Family Court Judge determines, pursuant to the conditions set forth in § 701(c) of Title 13 [repealed] that an attorney guardian ad litem should be appointed, the Family Court Judge shall sign an order appointing the attorney guardian ad litem. That order shall impose on the attorney guardian ad litem all the duties, rights and responsibilities set forth in this section. Upon entry of the order, the attorney guardian ad litem shall have the authority to review all documents and interview all pertinent persons having significant information relating to the child and the child's life circumstances.
(2) The appointment shall last until the attorney guardian ad litem is released from responsibility by order of the Court, or until the attorney guardian ad litem's commitment to the Court ends.
(3) The attorney guardian ad litem shall be a party to any child welfare proceeding in which the child is the subject, and shall possess all the procedural and substantive rights of a party including those set forth in § 732 of Title 13.
(4) Upon presentation of the order of appointment by the attorney guardian ad litem, any agency, hospital, school, organization, division or department of the State, doctor, nurse or other health care provider, treatment facility, psychologist, psychiatrist, police department or mental health clinic shall permit the attorney guardian ad litem to inspect and copy any records relating to the child and parents involved in the case of appointment without consent of the child or parents.
(14) Ascertain the wishes of the child and make the child's wishes known to the Court. If the attorney guardian ad litem concludes that the child's wishes differ from the position of the attorney guardian ad litem, he or she will notify the Court of the conflict.
(d) Criminal investigations and/or prosecutions. -- Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Office of the Child Advocate shall in no way intervene in any pending criminal investigation or prosecution, and shall provide no legal representation or advice to any suspect, defendant or respondent in any open criminal investigation or prosecution.
§ 9008A. Indemnification from liability.
§ 9009A. Extended jurisdiction -- Child abuse, dependency and neglect.

References: § 901
 § 901
 § 901

§ 9003

§ 9004

§ 9005

§ 9007
 § 701
 § 732

§ 9008

§ 9009