SB 1005 Summary

• Requires lawyer-guardians ad litem to participate in training in early childhood, child, and adolescent development as part of their duties representing children in family court proceedings.

• Expands the definition of "attorney" to clarify that a child's lawyer-guardian ad litem owes the same duties of undivided loyalty, confidentiality, and zealous representation as an attorney would to an adult client.

• Requires supervising agencies to provide documentation of progress on court-ordered treatment plans, including evaluations, therapy reports, and verification of parenting time, not later than 5 business days before scheduled hearings.

• Modifies termination of parental rights procedures by requiring the court to issue an opinion or order within 70 days after the initial hearing on a termination petition (failure to meet deadline does not dismiss the petition).

• Establishes procedures for appointing guardians for children after parental rights termination, including requiring MCI superintendent consent and allowing court override if the withholding of consent is found arbitrary or capricious by clear and convincing evidence.