MS HB1029

Amends Section 43-21-121, Mississippi Code of 1972, to clarify that a county court serving as a youth court may appoint a suitable attorney or layman as a guardian ad litem for a child.

Requires that attorneys and laypeople appointed as guardians ad litem must have received child protection and juvenile justice training approved by the Mississippi Judicial College within the year preceding their appointment.

Mandates that when a layman is appointed as guardian ad litem, the court must also appoint an attorney to represent the child.

Authorizes the youth court to pay the guardian ad litem a reasonable fee from the county general fund upon submission of an accounting of time spent on the case.

Takes effect July 1, 2014.