Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3492 Primary Sponsor:Neilson Committee Number:11 Type of Legislation:JR Subject:Court-appointed guardians ad litem Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Judiciary Computer Document Number:436/12828AC.93 Introduced Date:19930211 Last History Body:Senate Last History Date:19930420 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Neilson G. Bailey Farr Stone R. Smith Hines Wilkins Shissias J. Wilder Jaskwhich Simrill Harrelson Wells Vaughn Walker Davenport Littlejohn Haskins Hutson Moody-Lawrence Fair Allison Marchbanks Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved ____ ______ ____________ ______________________________ ___ ____________ 3492 Senate 19930420 Introduced, read first time, 11 referred to Committee 3492 House 19930415 Read third time, sent to Senate 3492 House 19930414 Read second time 3492 House 19930407 Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 14, 1993 3492 House 19930401 Committee Report: Favorable 25 3492 House 19930211 Introduced, read first time, 25 referred to CommitteeView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 1, 1993
H. 3492
Introduced by REPS. Neilson, G. Bailey, Farr, Stone, R. Smith, Hines, Wilkins, Shissias, J. Wilder, Jaskwhich, Simrill, Harrelson, Wells, Vaughn, Walker, Davenport, Littlejohn, Haskins, Hutson, Moody-Lawrence, Fair, Allison, and Marchbanks
S. Printed 4/1/93--H.
Read the first time February 11, 1993.
To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 3492), to direct the South Carolina Court Administration to develop a guidelines and procedures manual for court-appointed guardians ad litem, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
JAMES H. HODGES, for Committee.
TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP A GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL FOR COURT-APPOINTED GUARDIANS AD LITEM AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS CONTENTS AND DISTRIBUTION.
Whereas, the role of a court-appointed guardian ad litem is critical to serving the best interest of and providing protection to children in family court proceedings in South Carolina; and
Whereas, many guardians ad litem appointed by the court have not been formally trained to serve in the role of guardian ad litem; and
Whereas, it would be beneficial to the children represented by the guardians ad litem and to the guardians as well as to the family court if these guardians were given more guidance and direction. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The South Carolina Court Administration shall develop a Guidelines and Procedures Manual for use by court-appointed guardians ad litem. These guidelines and procedures shall include but are not limited to: the role, responsibility, and scope of authority of the guardian ad litem; a suggested framework for reviewing and evaluating different types of cases, community resources helpful in evaluating cases and in making recommendations to the court; and family court procedures. To the extent funds permit, this manual must be given to every court-appointed guardian ad litem and in the alternative a copy of the manual must be available to a guardian ad litem at the clerk's office in the family court in each judicial circuit and the guardian ad litem must be notified of this; however, all guardians ad litem must be given a condensed version of the manual in a pamphlet or brochure form.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.