(1) (a) A judge or magistrate may appoint a CASA volunteer in any action brought pursuant to this title and titles 14 and 15, C.R.S., when, in the opinion of the judge or magistrate, a child who may be affected by such action requires services that a CASA volunteer can provide. At the discretion of the judge or magistrate, a CASA volunteer may be a party to the action if so provided for in the memorandum of understanding.
(b) A judge or magistrate may appoint a CASA volunteer in any action brought in a proceeding pursuant to the "School Attendance Law of 1963", part 1 of article 33 of title 22,
C.R.S., provided that at least one parent or legal guardian of the child involved is provided with notice of the appointment of a CASA volunteer.
A CASA volunteer shall be appointed at the earliest stages of an action pursuant to acourt order that gives him or her the authority to review all relevant documents and interview all parties involved in the case, including parents, other parties in interest, and any other persons having significant information relating to the child.
The CASA volunteer's appointment concludes:
When the court's jurisdiction over the child terminates; or
Upon discharge by the court on its own motion or at the request of the programdirector of the CASA program to which the CASA volunteer is assigned.
Source: L. 96: Entire part added, p. 1092, § 4, effective May 23. L. 2015: (1) and IP(3) amended, (SB 15-004), ch. 254, p. 926, § 3, effective August 5.