Current Status Bill Number:3284 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19950118 Primary Sponsor:Neilson All Sponsors:Neilson, G. Brown, Littlejohn, L. Whipper, Breeland, Canty, Rice, Felder, Herdklotz, Anderson, Keyserling, Mason, Allison, Wells, Byrd and Richardson Drafted Document Number:gjk\21201ac.95 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Guardian ad litem
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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House 19950118 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
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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 joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.