SB307 Summary

• Authorizes juvenile courts to appoint court appointed special advocates (CASAs) in dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings in addition to guardians ad litem.

• Defines CASA qualifications as community volunteers who must be screened, trained in dependency and child development, meet program requirements, be actively supervised, and be appointed as lay guardians ad litem by the court.

• Requires CASAs to conduct independent assessments, maintain regular contact with the child, submit written reports, advocate for timely hearings, attend court proceedings, and monitor compliance with case plans and court orders.

• Grants CASAs access to case records and information when not otherwise protected by law, with all materials deemed confidential and not disclosable except by court order.

• Permits courts to remove or discharge a CASA for acting contrary to the child's best interest, nonparticipation, or acting contrary to the CASA program's mission and purpose; provides CASAs immunity from liability when acting in good faith.