Vol. 28, No. 3 #1 (June 2005). Comprehensive Guardian Ad Litem Program Enacted by 2005 Legislature.

• Author: By Holly Hansen

Wyoming Bar Journal

2005.

Vol. 28, No. 3 #1 (June 2005).

Comprehensive Guardian Ad Litem Program Enacted by 2005 Legislature

WYOMING LAWYERJune 2005/Vol. XXVIII, No. 3Comprehensive Guardian Ad Litem Program Enacted by 2005 LegislatureBy Holly Hansen

One of the last pieces of legislation to be enacted during the 2005 legislative session was House Bill 314 - Guardians Ad Litem (GALs). The bill takes effect July 1, 2005, and establishes a state funded program "to reimburse attorneys providing legal representation as guardians ad litem in child protection cases under W.S. 14-3-10 1 through 14-3-440, of children in need of supervision cases under W.S. 14-6-401 through 14-6-440, or termination of parental rights actions brought as a result of a child protection or a children in need of supervision action." The bill carries an appropriation of $2.1 million. The funds appropriated for this program may only be used for the purposes enumerated in the bill. Wyoming's 23 counties are currently responsible for covering the cost of GALs. Under the bill, counties will have the opportunity to participate in this matching program with the state. The Wyoming Supreme Court is responsible for implementing the administrative portion of the bill and will be working with the counties to establish the reimbursement program.

According to the bill's sponsor, Representative Colin Simpson (R House District 24):

"I sponsored the GAL bill individually because I felt it was an important issue to address as quickly as possible. The Joint Judiciary Committee had been working on this issue for a couple of years and despite a willingness to sponsor a bill as a committee bill, the bill that the Joint Judiciary Committee approved was an appropriations bill that ran into procedural problems. I did not want to see the issue languish another year. Allowing the counties to leverage state funds for GALs is a great step forward in providing legal services to children in Wyoming using GALs who have met the standards and have received annual training. I sincerely hope that all counties participate and that the program improves children's representation."

In anticipation of the July 1st effective date, the District Judges' Judicial Conference and the Board of Judicial Policy and Administration have been working on a draft of a new rule, Uniform Rules for the District Courts...