Source: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=13.34.100
Timestamp: 2019-08-17 20:47:57
Document Index: 497802888

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 13', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 43', '§ 38', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 1']

RCW 13.34.100: Appointment of guardian ad litem—Background information—Rights—Notification and inquiry—Appointment of attorney for child—Review and removal.
RCWs > Title 13 > Chapter 13.34 > Section 13.34.100
13.34.096 << 13.34.100 >> 13.34.102
RCW 13.34.100
Appointment of guardian ad litem—Background information—Rights—Notification and inquiry—Appointment of attorney for child—Review and removal.
*** CHANGE IN 2019 *** (SEE 5895.SL) ***
(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 an independent attorney in the proceedings. The court shall attempt to match a child with special needs with a guardian ad litem who has specific training or education related to the child's individual needs.
(5) A guardian ad litem through an attorney, 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.
The court must appoint an attorney for a child when there is no remaining parent with parental rights for six months or longer prior to July 1, 2014, if the child is not already represented.
(ii) Counties are encouraged to set caseloads as low as possible and to account for the individual needs of the children in care. Notwithstanding the caseload limits developed and recommended by the statewide children's representation work group pursuant to section 5, chapter 180, Laws of 2010, when one attorney represents a sibling group, the first child is counted as one case, and each child thereafter is counted as one-half case to determine compliance with the caseload standards pursuant to (c)(i) of this subsection and RCW 2.53.045.
(iii) The office of civil legal aid is responsible for implementation of (c)(i) and (ii) of this subsection as provided in RCW 2.53.045.
(c) Pursuant to this subsection, the department or *supervising agency and the child's guardian ad litem shall each notify a child of his or her right to request an attorney and shall ask the child whether he or she wishes to have an attorney. The department or *supervising agency and the child's guardian ad litem shall notify the child and make this inquiry immediately after:
(d) The department or *supervising agency and the child's guardian ad litem shall repeat the notification and inquiry at least annually and upon the filing of any motion or petition affecting the child's placement, services, or familial relationships.
(e) The notification and inquiry is not required if the child has already been appointed an attorney.
(f) The department or *supervising agency shall note in the child's individual service and safety plan, and the guardian ad litem shall note in his or her report to the court, that the child was notified of the right to request an attorney and indicate the child's position regarding appointment of an attorney.
(g) At the first regularly scheduled hearing after:
the court shall inquire whether the child has received notice of his or her right to request an attorney from the department or *supervising agency and the child's guardian ad litem. The court shall make an additional inquiry at the first regularly scheduled hearing after the child's fifteenth birthday. No inquiry is necessary if the child has already been appointed an attorney.
(8) 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 this section shall be deemed a guardian ad litem.
(9) 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. The program shall attempt to match a child with special needs with a guardian ad litem who has specific training or education related to the child's individual needs. The court shall immediately appoint the person recommended by the program.
(10) If a party in a case reasonably believes the court-appointed special advocate or volunteer guardian ad litem 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 or volunteer guardian ad litem on the grounds the advocate or volunteer is inappropriate or unqualified.
(11) The court shall remove any person from serving as a court-appointed special advocate or volunteer guardian ad litem if the court is notified that the person has been removed from another county's registry pursuant to the disposition of a grievance or if the court is otherwise made aware that the individual was found by a court to have made a materially false statement that he or she knows to be false during an official proceeding under oath.
[ 2017 c 99 § 2; 2014 c 108 § 2; 2010 c 180 § 2; 2009 c 480 § 2; 2000 c 124 § 2; 1996 c 249 § 13; 1994 c 110 § 2; 1993 c 241 § 2; 1988 c 232 § 1; 1979 c 155 § 43; 1977 ex.s. c 291 § 38.]
Finding—Intent—2017 c 99: "The legislature finds that the integrity of court-appointed special advocates and volunteer guardians ad litem is necessary to protect the best interest of children in child welfare proceedings.
Although courts must be notified regarding the removal of a guardian ad litem from a county's registry pursuant to a grievance, there is no requirement that a county must act on that information. For that reason, the legislature intends to require counties to remove child welfare volunteer guardians ad litem from their registries when counties are notified that the person has been removed from another county's registry pursuant to the disposition of a grievance or if the court is otherwise made aware that a guardian ad litem has been found by a court to have made a materially false statement that he or she knows to be false during an official proceeding under oath." [ 2017 c 99 § 1.]
Finding—Construction—2014 c 108: "(1) The legislature recognizes that some children may remain in foster care following the termination of the parent and child relationship. These children have legal rights and no longer have a parent to advocate on their behalf, and no other party represents their legal interests. The legislature finds that providing attorneys for children following the termination of the parent and child relationship is fundamental to protecting the child's legal rights and to accelerate permanency.
(2) Although the legislature recognizes that many jurisdictions provide attorneys to children prior to termination of the parent and child relationship, nothing in this act may be construed against the parent's fundamental liberty interest in parenting the child prior to termination of the parent and child relationship as stated in In re Dependency of K.N.J., 171 Wn.2d 568, 574 (2011) and In re Welfare of Luscier, 84 Wn.2d 135, 136-37 (1974), unless such a position would jeopardize the child's right to conditions of basic nurture, health, or safety." [ 2014 c 108 § 1.]
Effective date—2014 c 108: "This act takes effect July 1, 2014." [ 2014 c 108 § 4.]
Findings—2010 c 180: "(1) The legislature recognizes that inconsistent practices in and among counties in Washington have resulted in few children being notified of their right to request legal counsel in their dependency and termination proceedings under RCW 13.34.100.
(2) The legislature recognizes that when children are provided attorneys in their dependency and termination proceedings, it is imperative to provide them with well-trained advocates so that their legal rights around health, safety, and well-being are protected. Attorneys, who 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, should be trained in meaningful and effective child advocacy, the child welfare system and services available to a child client, child and adolescent brain development, child and adolescent mental health, and the distinct legal rights of dependent youth, among other things. Well-trained attorneys can provide legal counsel to a child on issues such as placement options, visitation rights, educational rights, access to services while in care and services available to a child upon aging out of care. Well-trained attorneys for a child can:
(a) Ensure the child's voice is considered in judicial proceedings;
(b) Engage the child in his or her legal proceedings;
(c) Explain to the child his or her legal rights;
(d) Assist the child, through the attorney's counseling role, to consider the consequences of different decisions; and
(e) Encourage accountability, when appropriate, among the different systems that provide services to children." [ 2010 c 180 § 1.]
Grievance rules—2000 c 124: See note following RCW 11.88.090.