HF1702 Summary

• Courts must appoint counsel for children age ten and older in child protection proceedings (except habitual truancy cases) if the child desires counsel but cannot afford it.

• Social services agencies must inform children age ten and older of their right to counsel within 14 days of petition filing or at emergency removal hearings, and must notify the court whether the child desires counsel.

• Any waiver of a child's right to counsel must be express, voluntary, intelligent, and in writing, with the court considering the child's age, maturity, intelligence, and other factors before accepting the waiver.

• Parents, guardians, and guardians ad litem cannot waive a child's right to counsel on the child's behalf.

• Courts must provide notice of review hearings to appointed counsel for children age ten and older.