South Carolina General Assembly
111th Session, 1995-1996

Bill 3900

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter 

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       3900
Type of Legislation:               General Bill GB
Introducing Body:                  House
Introduced Date:                   19950329
Primary Sponsor:                   Huff 
All Sponsors:                      Huff 
Drafted Document Number:           BR1\18319AC.95
Companion Bill Number:             456
Residing Body:                     House
Current Committee:                 Judiciary Committee 25 HJ
Subject:                           Guardian ad litem
History


Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

House   19950523  Recommitted to Committee                 25 HJ
House   19950518  Recalled from Committee                  25 HJ
House   19950329  Introduced, read first time,             25 HJ
                  referred to Committee
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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

RECALLED

May 18, 1995

H. 3900

Introduced by REP. Huff

S. Printed 5/18/95--H.

Read the first time March 29, 1995.

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-115 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A FAMILY COURT-APPOINTED GUARDIAN AD LITEM IS IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY FOR ACTS OR OMISSIONS RELATING TO THE COURT APPOINTMENT; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 20-7-127 RELATING TO LIMITED IMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEER GUARDIANS AD LITEM IN FAMILY COURT PROCEEDINGS.

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the function of a court-appointed guardian ad litem in a Family Court proceeding is to aid the court in its determination as to the best interests of the child. The General Assembly further finds that a guardian ad litem must be able to function without the fear or concern about later harassment and intimidation from dissatisfied parents or other persons. Public policy requires immunity from civil liability for court-appointed guardians ad litem. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 20-7-115. A Family Court-appointed guardian ad litem is immune from civil liability for acts or omissions related to the court appointment."

SECTION 2. Section 20-7-127 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies retrospectively to all causes of action as to which no final judgment has been entered and applies prospectively as of this act's effective date.

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