2023 Oregon Revised Statutes › Volume : 11 - Juvenile Code, Human Services › Chapter 419B - Juvenile Code: Dependency › Section 419B.112 - Court appointed special advocate; duties; immunity; access to information; funding; rules.

(1) In every case under ORS chapter 419B, the court shall appoint a court appointed special advocate. The court appointed special advocate is deemed a party in these proceedings and may be represented by counsel, file pleadings and request hearings and may subpoena, examine and cross-examine witnesses. If the court appointed special advocate is represented by counsel, counsel shall be paid from funds in the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund established under ORS 184.498. Counsel representing a court appointed special advocate may not be paid from moneys in the Public Defense Services Account established by ORS 151.225, from moneys appropriated to the Oregon Public Defense Commission or from Judicial Department operating funds.
(2) Subject to the direction of the court, the duties of the court appointed special advocate are to:
(a) Investigate all relevant information about the case;
(b) Advocate for the child or ward, ensuring that all relevant facts are brought before the court;
(c) Facilitate and negotiate to ensure that the court, the Department of Human Services, if applicable, and the child or ward’s attorney, if any, fulfill their obligations to the child or ward in a timely fashion; and
(d) Monitor all court orders to ensure compliance and to bring to the court’s attention any change in circumstances that may require a modification of an order of the court.
(3) If a juvenile court does not have a sufficient number of qualified court appointed special advocates available to it, the court may, in fulfillment of the requirements of this section, appoint a juvenile department employee or other suitable person to represent the child or ward’s interest in court pursuant to ORS 419A.012 or 419B.195.
(4) Any person appointed as a court appointed special advocate in any judicial proceeding on behalf of the child or ward is immune from any liability for defamation or statements made in good faith by that person, orally or in writing, in the course of the case review or judicial proceeding.
(5) Any person appointed as a court appointed special advocate, CASA Volunteer Program director, CASA Volunteer Program employee or member of the board of directors or trustees of any CASA Volunteer Program is immune from any liability for acts or omissions or errors in judgment made in good faith in the course or scope of that person’s duties or employment as part of a CASA Volunteer Program.
(6) Whenever the court appoints a court appointed special advocate or other person under subsections (1) to (3) of this section to represent the child or ward, the court may require a parent, if able, or guardian of the estate, if the estate is able, to pay, in whole or in part, the reasonable costs of court appointed special advocate services, including reasonable attorney fees. The court’s order of payment is enforceable in the same manner as an order of support under ORS 419B.408.
(7) Upon presentation of the order of appointment by the court appointed special advocate, any agency, hospital, school organization, division, office or department of the state, doctor, nurse or other health care provider, psychologist, psychiatrist, police department or mental health clinic shall permit the court appointed special advocate to inspect and copy, and may consult with the court appointed special advocate regarding, any records relating to the child or ward involved in the case, without the consent of the child, ward or parents.
(8) All records and information acquired or reviewed by a court appointed special advocate during the course of official duties are deemed confidential under ORS 419A.255.
(9) For the purposes of a Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) grant to this state under P.L. 93-247, or any related state or federal legislation, a court appointed special advocate or other person appointed pursuant to subsections (1) to (3) of this section is deemed a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the child or ward in proceedings before the court. [2012 c.97 §2; 2012 c.107 §105; 2017 c.630 §9; 2023 c.281 §62]
Note:
419B.112 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 419B or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.