(A) A guardian ad litem may be either an attorney or a layperson. To be appointed as a guardian ad litem pursuant to Section 43-35-45(C) an individual:
(1) must be twenty-one years of age or older;
(2) shall possess a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) shall have completed the minimum hours of continuing education for initial qualification as required by the Vulnerable Adult Guardian ad Litem Program; and
(4) shall have observed two child protective services or adult protective services custody merit hearings before serving as a guardian ad litem. A lay guardian ad litem shall retain a certificate showing that observation of these hearings has been completed. This certificate, which must be on a form approved by court administration, must state the names and dates of the cases and the judges involved and must be attested to by the presiding judge.
(B) An attorney guardian ad litem annually shall complete a minimum of six hours of family or elder law continuing legal education credits; however, this requirement may be waived by the court.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 162 (S.764), Section 1, eff May 16, 2014.