LAWYER/GUARDIAN AD LITEM TRAINING; TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Senate Bill 1005 (without amendment)
Sponsor: Sen. Judy K. Emmons
House Committee: Families, Children, and Seniors
Senate Committee: Families, Seniors, and Human Services
Complete to 3-26-12
A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1005 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 3-15-12
The bill would amend the Juvenile Code to:
· Allow the family court to terminate a parent's parental rights to a child if the parent were required to register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act.
· Include sexual abuse of a child, a sibling, or another child in the types of abuse for which the family court may terminate a parent's parental rights.
· Include training in early childhood, child, and adolescent development among the duties of a lawyer-guardian ad litem.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state and local governments. Family court caseloads may be increased by an indeterminate amount, and they may face higher costs due to an increased caseload.
The bill would incorporate new federal guidelines into statute, as required by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Reauthorization Act of 2010. In order to continue to qualify for approximately $800,000 in federal funding for child abuse and neglect prevention activities, the state must comply with these guidelines.
Fiscal Analyst: Erik Jonasson
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.